"Fly Fishing Coach schools are loaded with great information about all aspects of fly fishing and casting.  I guarantee these classes will provide you with a firm foundation of what this exciting lifetime sport is all about.  After taking the  school you will know if fly fishing is the sport for you and have the knowledge to select and set up the right equipment to get started fly fishing.  Once you decide to pursue this adventure I also recommend taking one of the fly casting schools or private casting lessons, to learn the basic casting skills needed to enter the stream with confidence."

No matter how much you know or how many years you've fished your always a student at fly fishing.  I've identified six key areas of learning:

• 1) fly casting - presenting the fly accurately, in a lifelike manner 
• 2) fly line control - controling the fly line after the cast, fighting & landing fish
• 3) knot tying - tying good strong knots quickly
• 4) equipment - selecting & setting up equipment to meet your needs 
• 5) the environment - knowledge of the fish, fish food, & the stream
• 6) fishing strategies - selecting the most effective fly & fishing strategy

The Fly Fishing Coach schools are designed to cut through all the confusion and cover the essential information in each key area. 

The five to eight hour schools cover, in depth, the six key areas of fly fishing and provide hands on experience.  You receive a booklet, several handouts, examine a variety of equipment, learn about aquatic insects, practice tying two important knots and experience the feel of casting.  The longer schools include more casting and a video casting analysis. 

The three to four hour schools provide you with a great overview.  They include handouts, an overview of aquatic insects, a review of essential equipment, and demonstrations of knot tying and fly casting.

Fly casting and fly line control are the most important and generally the most difficult skills to learn.  However, with focused coaching and practice, each cast and line control skill can be mastered. Of all the key areas to study and practice, these two will have the most effect on your success and enjoyment of fly fishing. 

The five to eight hour casting schools cover the fundamental skills in fly casting and fly line control. Included are several handouts and a booklet.  You will learn: 1) Overhead Cast, 2) False Cast, 3) Roll Cast, 4) Stripping and shooting line, and 5) Hooking, fighting and landing fish.  

Even those of you that have been fishing for awhile and occasionally have trouble with the basic casting stroke, accuracy, or shooting line will benefit from this class.  I'm confident with the skills learned in the casting school, and a little practice, you will greatly increase your chance of success and avoid a lot of frustration on the stream.

"After 40 years of fly fishing I am convinced that  "presentation", the combination of casting and line control, is the most important factor in catching fish. More important even than the right fly, is your ability to present the fly accurately and fish it in a most natural lifelike manner.  Once mastered you will be part of the 20 percent that catch 80 percent of the fish."

See School Schedule for dates, time, & cost.                         

I offer these fly fishing schools along with a sponsor like the YMCA.  A fishing license is NOT necessary and I provide all equipment.  Group classes are usually limited to 6 -12 students.  Although personal coaching time is limited, the schools are a real bargain.

If you have a group or club that would like to sponsor a school in your area please contact me for details and pricing.  If you would prefer personal attention or have specific needs & objectives you should consider taking Private Lessons or scheduling time for  Guided On-stream Instruction.

Note: All aquatic insect illustrations are copywrited.  These beautiful scientific illustrations were drawn by Karen Prather, active conservationist, and resident of Warren County.