We give student the equipment, the knowledge and the field training to create a strong foundation, for a lifetime of successful fly fishing and fisheries conservation.
All your fly fishing tackle will be provided.
The academy is co-educational for ages 12-16
Dorm style lodging and chef made meals.
Male and Female Ghillies aka Counselors
Covid 19 vaccinations and boosters for students are recommended
The $500 cost for the academy includes a complete 5 wt. Echo Rod Kit, a full box of Flies, a Sling Pack loaded with Tools and Equipment, Knot Tying Cards, a Waterproof Notebook and two classic Fly Fishing Books. The students are given all of the above on their first day and are responsible for their gear throughout the academy. They’ll receive fly fishing information that would take the average fly fisher years to accumulate. Plus hours of time to fish and practice casting and tying.
Most importantly the academy strives to instill an appreciation the true meaning of what’s required to maintain and hopefully, improve our fisheries.
In addition to getting good at the basic overhead cast, you’ll also be given instruction about more advanced casts such as the roll cast, haul and double haul casts.
All the tools, materials and equipment are provided. After classes, instructors will be available to assist everyone in creating at least four effective fly patterns to take home. Camper tied or from our store room, we’ll insure that every camper always has a full fly box.
What’s the difference between a 3 wt. and a 9 wt. rod? Is a soft action rod better than a fast one? Some fly lines sink and others float, why? What’s stronger a 5X or 3X tippet? Join us in June and find out.
Learn about your quarry from professionals. Is that trout a female or a male? What’s a lateral line? Why are fish slimy? And then get messy while dissecting a few fish and learn more fishy facts.
Guaranteed no Latin names, just plain English. You’ll be discovering what fish eat, you know – fish food. You’ll discover where and how bugs live, then enjoy a field trip to collect and ID some local fish food in a nearby stream. Use that hands on knowledge and some help in the tying room, to tie matching flies, or at least something close. Fear not, we have plenty of pre-made flies, if needed.
You’ll learn the basic connection knots needed to set up your fly gear from attaching line to the reel all the way to tying on a fly. Maybe you will discover a few extra knots like the super easy Double-Uni knot or the Dropper knot. There will be camp time to work on getting these twisty things mastered. But to help you enjoy your fishing time on the water, everyone gets a pack of “Knot Tying Reference Cards” to keep in your sling pack. It’ll help you remember how to tie that perfect knot, post academy.
Do you think the fish will last forever? Discover how you can help keep fish in our lakes and the rivers.
After you learn how to cast and tie flies you’ll eventually ask – WHAT FLY DO I TIE ON ? Join us and discover.
We’ll talk about what clothing you should wear to camouflage yourself. How should you approach and wade in fishable waters? What’s the difference between an emerger and a pupa. How do I present my fly, dead drift or swing? What size, how deep or shallow? Can a trout see me on the shore?
There are critters and plants we don’t want in our waters. What and where are they? Why are they a problem ? You can help fix it?
A fish just rose, but what stage / of what insect is it eating? From where do I cast and how do I present and retrieve my fly? Where are they? Learn the answers.
A lake offers a large area of water to fish. Where do I cast? How do I retrieve the fly? How deep? What food lives there and where does it grow? Where do the fish hang out? And why. Fly camp provide the answers.
How can I be safe when wearing waders or floating on a lake? What is the correct type and fit for a Life Vest?
What is an ethical way to fish? Why does fly fishing near others requires basic rules of fair play.
