"I fish to scratch the surface of those mysteries, for nearness to the beautiful,
and to reassure myself the world remains.” -Carl Safina
This retreat is designed for aspiring fly fishers, as well as veteran fly-fishers that have never taken a formal course. This three-day course reveals the all secrets of fly fishing, from setting up your equipment, tying knots, identifying aquatic insects, determining where fish lay in a stream, and selecting a fly, casting and fishing it in a way that leads to success. Come and learn all the essential knowledge and skills of fly fishing from a pro!
Provide students with enough information to purchase the right equipment and the basic skills necessary to get you on the stream! In classroom and on the lawn sessions you will:
Friday / Saturday
1) Learn about and examine the essential equipment.
2) Practice tying two essential knots.
3) Learn to manage leaders.
4) Identify aquatic insects and understand their life-cycles.
5) Understand the differences in fly imitations, and how to select one.
6) Practice the secrets of fly casting and line control.
No equipment is necessary!
Sunday
Focus on fly fishing strategies including actual fishing time on a local stream. Sunday is a practicum that will let you apply your new knowledge and skill in real fishing situations. Together we’ll wade into one of the many trout streams in the area and:
1) Reveal the secrets of dry, wet and nymph fishing.
2) Learn how to approach the stream.
3) How to select a fly.
4) How to read the water and determine where fish might be laying.
Gary Kell - The Fly Fishing Coach
Gary, a native of NW Pennsylvania, has been fly fishing for nearly 50 years. He has taught hundreds of people various aspects of fly fishing. For five years, Gary was a lead fly fishing instructor for L. L. Bean. In 2009, he became a Master Certified Instructor through Fly Fishers International (FFI) and received the FFI Governor's Mentoring Award in 2016. Gary’s latest achievement is co-authoring the new Keystone Fly Fishing Guide.
Schedule
Friday
- 5:30 – Dinner
- 7:30 – Intro to Fly Fishing – Equipment
Saturday
- 7:30 Meditation (optional)
- 8:00 Breakfast
- 8:45 Aquatic Insects, Flies, Knots
- 1:00 Casting – Pick Up & Lay Down, False & Roll Casts
- 12:15 Lunch
- 1:00 Casting Cont’d plus Stripping & Shooting Line & Fighting Fish
- 3:00 Reading water & On water Fishing demo
- 5:30 Dinner
Sunday
- 7:30 Meditation (optional)
- 8:00 Breakfast
- 8:45 Fishing Strategies
- 9:30 Prepare for Fishing
- 10:30 Depart for stream
- Box Lunch on the stream
- Practice Dry, Wet, & Nymph
- 4:00 End formal school
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TUITION: $125
ROOM AND MEALS: $135
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No equipment necessary. Ages 15+. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
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Register online at olmsteadmanor.org/events or call 814.945.6512