12-08-2015, 02:40 AM
If you were to find the right guide, and state up front that you want an all-day "fly fishing introduction", it would be the best private instruction you could find. And late in the day, you'd catch a fish or two also. On-the-water lessons are 10x more valuable than only the classroom stuff. Both are needed, but a guide can teach you knots, casting, leader management, fly choices (that work!), actually show you where to look for fish (and you'll see the fish right there, not a picture!), show you different water types, pick up bugs from the river to show you, etc. The river is the place to learn and spur your interest. (or even a lake/pond)
Off-water classes are useful, don't get me wrong, but a day on the water is far more instructional, and easy to learn and remember from. You can read all the literature by yourself!
The ultimate would be a two or three day program where you did a day of classroom, and a day or two on the water. The bent rod with a fish on the line, and the take from a fish, really make things much more clear!
There's some good guides on the Green. Probably some of the rivers near the Wasatch too. Speak to a few and tell them exactly what you want, stressing introduction and learning, not catching. (not emails, real conversation, preferably in person) You'll get the right vibe from the right one.
Fish Tech or Anglers Den might also be good starting points. Start with a reputable fly shop closest to wherever you are. I'd avoid Cabela's, Sportsman's, etc.
And between now and spring, it won't hurt to browse a few fly fishing forums, pick up a couple of starter books, and get a feel for some basics, the terminology, and the sort of categories of things you might want to know. Don't believe everything, just absorb some basics.
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Off-water classes are useful, don't get me wrong, but a day on the water is far more instructional, and easy to learn and remember from. You can read all the literature by yourself!
The ultimate would be a two or three day program where you did a day of classroom, and a day or two on the water. The bent rod with a fish on the line, and the take from a fish, really make things much more clear!
There's some good guides on the Green. Probably some of the rivers near the Wasatch too. Speak to a few and tell them exactly what you want, stressing introduction and learning, not catching. (not emails, real conversation, preferably in person) You'll get the right vibe from the right one.
Fish Tech or Anglers Den might also be good starting points. Start with a reputable fly shop closest to wherever you are. I'd avoid Cabela's, Sportsman's, etc.
And between now and spring, it won't hurt to browse a few fly fishing forums, pick up a couple of starter books, and get a feel for some basics, the terminology, and the sort of categories of things you might want to know. Don't believe everything, just absorb some basics.
[signature]