Schools
Get started right with professional instruction
The best way to learn fly casting is from a qualified professional at one of the many fly-fishing
school offered around the country. photo courtesy of the Wulff School of Fly Fishing
Unless you have a friend or relative who also happens to be an instructor-level fly fisher, a
hands-on fly fishing school is the best way to introduce yourself to fly fishing.
If you plan on teaching your spouse to fly fish—so you can both spend your leisure time
enjoying the same sport—you should seriously reconsider. Even if you think you are an expert
fly fisher, and even if you and your spouse have an excellent relationship, don’t try to add “fly-
fishing instructor” to your resume.
Invest in a qualified professional—a third party—and it will be more enjoyable, and more
successful, for both of you. Your spouse is more likely to listen and enjoy learning from a
qualified instructor.
Fly-fishing schools are relatively stress-free because you aren’t placed in a fishing situation like
you would if you went out and hired a guide for a fishing trip.
Schools are normally held on a stream or a pond where instructors can demonstrate, and students
can practice casting and presentations. This is the critical element of most schools and what
makes them so valuable—it’s difficult to learn physical skills like casting from a book or DVD.
Fly-fishing schools also have a strong entomology component, where you will observe the
aquatic insects that trout feed on, and your instructor will show you how to accurately imitate
them.
Schools should also show you how to tie the knots you need, wade safely, locate fish, make
presentations, and release fish safely—much like this issue of Fly Fishing Made Easy, only in
person and on the water.
Also important is the fact that most fly-fishing schools provide all the tackle you need for the
event. If you are just getting started, this is a wonderful “try before you buy” opportunity, where
you can discover what equipment works best for you, and what equipment is recommended by
local experts.
There are literally hundreds of small schools across the country. Most fly shops offer one-day or
weekend schools, and many are excellent.
Here are a few of the nationally recognized schools we’re familiar with—often because the
instructors/operators are longtime Fly Fisherman magazine contributors and recognized
international experts.
In addition to casting, fly-fishing schools teach presentations, entomology, how to read the
water, and catch-and-release technique. Barry and Cathy Beck photo
The Fly Shop
The Fly Shop at Redding, California, offers three-day seminars at Antelope Creek Ranch.
Students learn practical stream entomology, casting, fly-fishing strategies, knots, and how to
hook and release trout on 1½ miles of private water. All the equipment is provided by The Fly
Shop. The cost is $945 per person and includes four night’s accommodations and all meals. See
theflyshop.com for more information.
Cathy Beck
Cathy Beck is one of the most recognizable faces in fly fishing. Cathy and her husband Barry
fish around the globe hundreds of days per year, photographing the best destinations on the
planet. She has appeared on the cover of Fly Fisherman more than any other person—probably
because she always seems to catch inordinately large fish and her husband is always there to
catch it on film.
Cathy also gives casting demonstrations and seminars across the country, is on the Sage pro
staff, and is an internationally recognized caster. Her fly-fishing school (Michelle Macus co-
instructor) is a one-day course with six to eight students on private water on Fishing Creek near
Benton, Pennsylvania. Cost is $225 and includes lunch. For dates and other specifics see
barryandcathybeck.com
Dave & Emily Whitlock
Dave and Emily Whitlock together have more than 45 years of fly-fishing teaching experience.
Dave designed and directed the L. L. Bean fly-fishing school for 10 years before beginning his
own programs, and he has taught around the world, authored books and articles, produced
videos, and hosted lectures on fly fishing.
Dave and Emily offer private one-on-one instruction at their campus in the water-rich Oklahoma
Ozarks. Emily is a conservationist and naturalist, holds degrees in botany and biology, is a
partner in all of Dave’s work and an accomplished casting instructor.
A day with Dave is $650 and a day with both Dave and Emily is $900. Instruction includes
classroom work, casting and presentation practice on a spring-fed pond, entomology, flowing
water presentations, catch-and-release techniques, and more. For more information see
davewhitlock.com.
Orvis Schools
Orvis may have pioneered the concept of fly-fishing schools in America with its first school in
Manchester, Vermont. The company now has more than a dozen schools across the country at
Sandanona, New York; Barnsley Gardens, Georgia; Nemacolin, Pennsylvania; Dogwood
Canyon, Missouri; Hot Springs, Virginia; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and Ovando, Montana; and the
original location at Manchester, Vermont.
Orvis also offers saltwater- or warmwater-oriented schools at Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Grande
Lakes, Florida; Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; and elsewhere.
The student/instructor ratio is 4:1, cost is $470 for a two-day course, $350 for a one-day course.
For dates and other specifics see orvis.com.
Jim & Lynda McLennan
Jim was one of the first fly-fishing guides on the Bow River, Alberta, and has been writing for
Fly Fisherman for nearly two decades. Jim and his wife Lynda are another one of those couples
lucky enough to fish and teach fly fishing together through much of the year.
They conduct their schools at destination locations such as at the Anchor B fly fishing lodge on
the Oldman River, Alberta (cost includes accommodations and meals) and on the Crowsnest
River. They also have specialty schools such as schools just for women (taught by Lynda),
private schools for one or two people, corporate schools, casting-specific schools, and
intermediate and advanced schools. For more information see mclennanflyfishing.com.
Ralph & Lisa Cutter
Ralph Cutter is known for his underwater observations of trout and trout behavior. The Sierra
Trout Guide and Bugs of the Underworld DVD are just two of Ralph and Lisa’s educational
contributions to fly fishing.
Their California School of Fly fishing—one of the oldest “small” schools in the country—has
been in operation since 1981. Small-group lessons for beginners are $649 per person and limited
to a maximum of four anglers. See flyline.com more information.