Become and Independent Angler
Become confident and competent on the water and let Fly Fish Instruct take your fly fishing to the next level. This course is geared towards the advanced beginner to intermediate anglers. Having basic fly-fishing knowledge is encouraged.
Become and Independent Angler
God Speed Events, 7897 S Eagle Valley Rd, Port Matilda, PA 16870
Time
10:00am – 2:00pm
Instructors
Heather Hodson and Kelley Kirsch
Course Schedule
- 10:00am – 10:15am
- Introductions & Class Overview
- 10:15am – 10:30am – Leader and Tippet Talk
- 10:30am – 11:30am – Basic Fly Fishing Knots and Leader Set-Ups
- Basic Knots
- Loop to Loop
- Double Surgeon
- Clinch
- Non-Slip Loop Knot
- Perfection Loop
- Fly Types
- Leader Set-Ups
- Dry and Dropper-Dropper
- Single and Double Nymph Leaders
- Streamer
- Basic Knots
- 11:30am – 12:30pm – Casting
- Set-Up Fly Rod/Reel
- Casting
- Roll Cast
- Off Shoulder Roll Casting
- Mending Demonstrations
- Cast, Mend, Follow Your Fly
- On Water Mends
- 12:30pm – 1:15pm – On Water
- ABCs of Fly Fishing
- How to Approach the Water
- Searching vs Targeting
- Intro to Reading Water
- 1:15pm – 2:00pm – Choose the Right Fly, Match the Hatch and Putting it All Together
- 5 Factors in Choosing a Fly
- Basic Entomology
- Matching the Hatch
- Heather’s 20 Top Trout Flies (handout)
- On Water Mend
- Research Ahead of Time
Waiver Form
We ask that all Fly Fish Instruct participants sign a general liability and photo release form before the workshop. The instructor will bring the release form the day of the workshop.
What to Bring
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Snacks/Lunch
- Sunglasses (Must Be Worn When Casting)
- Sunscreen
- Dress Appropriately for Outdoor Weather Conditions
Intro to Fly Fishing Online Course Link
- Website Link –
- Video Password – introtoflyfishing
READING TROUT WATER Online COURSE LINKS
- Website Link – https://uwotf.com/reading-water-online-course/
- Video Password – readingtroutwater
Video Links within the Presentation
- Keep Fish Wet – https://www.keepfishwet.org/principles
- Setting Up a Fly Rod – https://youtu.be/-urAffoLfNw
- Knots
- Basic Knots Handout –https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jm0orW6kkzErRvYnw6XCo6UYZb0KPl3K/view?usp=sharing
- UWOTF Knot Blog – https://uwotf.com/knots/
- Fly Fish Instruct YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@flyfishinstruct
- Orvis – https://howtoflyfish.orvis.com/fly-fishing-knots/
- Animated Knots – https://www.animatedknots.com/
- Basic Knot Suggestions –
- Blood Knot
- Clinch
- Double Surgeon
- Loop to Loop
- Nail Knot
- Non-Slip Loop Knot
What's Next?
You’ve taken the “Become an Independent Angler” Online Course and where do you go from here?
- Time on the Water is Key.
- Focus on the ABCs of Fly Fishing.
- Assessment – Access your surroundings, weather, fish behaviors (jumping out of the water, sipping bugs, etc.)
- Bugs – Do you see any bugs flying around? Pick up rocks and sticks in the water to see if there are any bugs crawling around. Match your fly in your fly box to the ones you see in the water. Error on the side of the same size or smaller.
- Casting – Practice the basic cast and then practice accuracy. Those that can place a fly where they want it to be, will catch more fish.
- Continue Your Education
- Take the “Match the Hatch” Online Course
- Find a Community
- Have Fun and Enjoy the Journey
Connect with Fly Fish Instruct
- Email –info@flyfishinstruct.com
- Website –https://flyfishinstruct.com
- YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@flyfishinstruct
- Public Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/flyfishinstruct/
- Instagram –@flyfishinstruct
- Tag – #flyfishinstruct
Additional Education
Fly Fish Instruct offers several live and recorded online fly-fishing courses throughout the year. These courses range from introduction to advanced intermediate and will help anyone become independent, confident and competent on the water.
These courses are recorded and can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Register at https://uwotf.com/product-category/education/. Please email info@flyfishinstruct.com in regards to a scholarship if needed.
Scholarships Available
Our mission is to offer accessible and affordable education to all. We don’t want anyone to be turned away from education. We are more than happy to offer a scholarship for our online courses. Please email info@flyfishinstruct.com to inquire.
