"If you have been fly fishing for a few years and would like to take your skills to a new level, guided on-stream instruction is designed for you.  If one or more of the following statements are true, then you would benefit from an on-stream session." 

• On larger streams the bigger fish are always just out of reach
• The dry fly is being pulled off course - you want longer "drag free" drifts
• Frequently you're found cursing at overhanging trees and brush
• Have trouble casting around rocks and logs in the stream
• Fly just won't go where you want it to - need better accuracy and control
• Never sure what fly to use or how to fish it
• Would like to know more about identifying aquatic insects
• Fishing for bass, pike, musky or saltwater fish excites you
• Casting big heavy flies & lines is troublesome and endangers your body parts
• Casting in the wind creates more cursing opportunities
• You find more "Wind" knots at the end of your leader than fish

Guided on-stream instruction is usually given in 4 hour sessions for 1 to 4 anglers and  focused on a specific set of skills.  Guided On-stream Instruction is booked at your request. Occasionally, I may schedule one or more clinics that will be open for enrollment so, keep watching the School Schedule & Cost page.  If you have 1 to 4 people interested, a session can be tailored to meet your needs at your preferred location.  Call or email for details and cost.

For instance, of all the trout fishing strategies, nymph fishing is one of the most deadly day in and day out. However, most anglers fish nymphs only in desperation.  They tie a nymph on the end of their dry fly leader or add a nymph on a dropper under a dry fly. After fishing for an hour and not hooking up, they go back to the dry fly wondering what the secret of nymphing is? 

During on-stream instruction you will focus on learning one or more of the following set of skills and practice them on the stream under the guidance of your coach:

• Rigging for nymphing - rod, line, leader design, weighting, strike indicators
• Reading the water - where fish lie, reading water currents, where food is
• Nymph fishing techniques - high sticking, shot & indicator, leisenring lift etc.
• Casting - water haul, elliptical cast, roll cast, tuck cast
• Fly line control - aerial mending, on-water mends
• Fly selection - aquatic insects, lifecycle movements

"Each of the Guided On-stream sessions will follow a similar approach.  With no more than 4 anglers I have the time to reveal the secrets of success, provide personal coaching and still allow plenty of practice time in real on-stream situations.  Of course catching fish, in the process of learning, is always an option and an instant reward for doing it right!!"

• Aquatic Insects the Real Story - how to identify, imitate & fish them
• Fly Selection & Fishing Strategies - deciding what fly to use & how to fish it
• Casting - Longer Drifts & Difficult Places - loop control, curve & slack casts, etc.
• Beyond the Chuck and Duck - intermediate casting, loop control & line control
• Bigger Flies Bigger Distance - single & double haul, loop control, shooting line
• Musky on the Fly - rigging, flies, casting, stripping, hooking, fighting musky
• Pre-Trip Refreshers - casting practice for a trip west or to fish saltwater

The location of these sessions may vary but the Tionesta Creek and tributaries offers a great variety of water types to learn on and so will be our primary laboratory.   The Tionesta flows from small headwater streams near the city of Warren through the heart of the Allegheny National Forest entering the Allegheny River at the town of Tionesta.   It is heavily stocked with trout in the spring and offers great smallmouth fishing in the summer.  Hatches, some creating blizzard like conditions, commence with the opening of trout season and continue well into early summer.  The larger Allegheny River and Conewango Creek offers unique places to hone advanced skills for trophy fish.

You will need to have a valid fishing license, waders, polarized sunglasses, hat, rain gear and your own accessories (flies, leader, tippet material, nippers, vest, etc).  You can bring your own rod, reel, and line or use mine whichever you prefer.

On-stream instruction is booked at your request. Occasionally, I may schedule a workshop or clinic open for enrollment.  Keep a watch on the School Schedule & Cost page for those opportunities.  Also, if you have up to 4 people interested, a session can be tailored to meet your needs at your preferred location.  Call for details and cost.