3-Day Beginner Fly Fishing School
We offer a skills-based program emphasizing patience, problem solving and attention to detail that foster confidence, perseverance and transferable skills to the classroom and to life in general.
what otw fly fishing school offers
Create amazing experiences
with OTW collegiate fly fishing school
We offer a 3-day beginner course for a group of six students that will take the complete beginner and teach them everything they need to get started in a lifetime of fly fishing. We cover a number of topics including terminal tackle, knots, fundamental entomology with an emphasis on the biology behind “match the hatch” as well as basic hydrology concepts/reading water with an emphasis on a practical application to fly fishing. Students will be supplied with boots, waders and fly rods (loaned), and they get to take home their very own chest pack with all of the basic terminal tackle, fly box & flies that they will need to become self-sufficient anglers (more details below).
How Does this help my students?
Fly fishing offers students a conduit for developing the skills required for success in college and after graduation. Patience, problem solving, and attention to detail are skills essential for fly fishing a stream or completing a tough assignment. By presenting the academic content via an open, communicative approach, our course provides a focused, easy and fun connection between the classroom and pragmatic application on the water. The style of instruction is laid back and information-packed. The focus is on positivity and encouragement to help students build confidence. We are here to learn, and making mistakes is a key part of the process. The biggest reward for us at OTW is to see the growth in confidence of students who put their head down and persevere through the challenge of the steep learning curve that is fly fishing. There is nothing like seeing everything come together when a student nets their first fish on the fly.
Day 1
8-hours
Day-1 begins in the classroom. We will spend 4-hours learning about the differences between conventional fishing and fly fishing; the basic terms used to describe the fly fishing gear & terminal tackle; and the knots used to put a proper fly fishing rig together. The second half of the day is spent On The Water putting into practice what we studied in class and learning the basic water-load cast. Yes, students will be fly fishing their first day!
Day 2
6-hours
Day-2 also begins in the classroom but for only 2-hours where we review our knots; take an in-depth look at the water-load cast technique from the day before; preview water features; and, finally we spend some time learning basic entomology and how to “match the hatch.” The next 4-hours are spent On The Water where we search for the insects that trout feed on and put our matching the hatch skills into practice. Students will spend the remainder of the day getting more practical experience fishing.
Day 3
4-hours
Day-3 is a 4-hour day where we meet On The Water, and the students put everything they’ve learned into practice.
Pricing, what is included, and how it all works:
We like to keep the class number at no more than six students. We will always try to accommodate your student number needs, but we find that keeping the class number to six students allows for everyone to get enough personal attention to progress through the material efficiently and effectively. Our overall focus is for student success by persevering through the challenge of fly fishing and revelling in the reward of bagging their first fish. By keeping classes smaller, we can focus on learning transferable skills, making a personal connection to nature, an improved sense of well-being & mental health. Students will be provided with the basic terminal tackle to get them started which they get to keep (listed below).
Included gear that students keep
* 1-Fishpond San Juan chest pack
* 2-Thingamabobber indicators
* 1-puck of Dinsmore assorted weights
* 1-Hostel magnetic/slotted fly box with 2-dozen standard fly patterns
* 1-headgate with assorted Rio Powerflex Plus tippet
* 1-pair of Angler’s Accessories basic nippers
* 1-pair of Dr. Slick hemostats
* 1-2-pack of Rio Powerflex Plus leaders
Total Cost for SIX students: $6230
Price Includes:
* Guide Fees
* Classroom Rental
* Land Use Fees
* Coursebook
* Boots & Waders Rental
* Rods & Reels Rental
* Above-Listed Pack with all terminal tackle and flies that students take home after course.
** Fishing license in NOT included in the cost and will need to be purchased by each student via the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
** Lodging is NOT included in the price; there are many convenient Air B&B options. Let us know if you would like suggestions.
What our students are saying
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Super patient instruction.”
“Tom is one of the most patient and kind people I have met. He really knew how to explain the material in a way that made sense to all of us. I caught fish all three days!”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Alondra Valdez
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO.
“Great way to bond with friends.”
“Being able to go fly fishing with my friends was a new and beautiful way of bonding. I couldn’t ask for a better guide than Tom who fit in with us just like an awesome friend.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Galilea Berthon
Colorado College
Colorado Spring, CO.
Professional Endorsement
★★★★★
“I’ve known Tom a long time and he loves to teach. Instruction is his love language, and he takes great care in ensuring everyone in his class is successful. His attention to detail, technique, and humility, foster a fun and engaging learning environment.”
~Dr. Chris Burnett
Executive Director for Campus Recreation
Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO.
