RICK WHORWOOD'S FLY FISHING & FLY CASTING SCHOOL   

In the early 1990's I hosted a number of guest fly-tying programs. In that period of time we had presenters such as Ron Alcott, Rob Solo, Bob Veverka, Michael Radencich, and Joe Messinger, Jr., for classes on full-dress, and hairwing salmon flies, and spinning deer hair. In addition to being a lot of fun, fellow tiers like Joe Penich, Bill Spicer, Don Bastian, and a number of other individuals benefited significantly and learned from these events. Lessons on fly tying, fly casting, and fly fishing techniques can provide significant benefits to the people who take advantage of these opportunities.

I realized even then as I do now how important it is to get a different perspective and instruction on fly tying and fly casting, where even teachers are students in the sense that a good instructor always continues to learn.

It is with great pleasure to announce that once again I will be hosting guest fly-fishers for special programs. We plan to present two guest casters this fall, and if the interest and response is good, then we will plan to expand this program. I will be assisting if necessary, but our plan is to host these programs with highly-qualified and experienced guest instructors. Fly Casting School can provide customized clinics and events for individuals, groups, and clubs. We are open to suggestions and would love to discuss a fly casting or instructional fishing event for you.

$140.00 p/p for each session or $260 for two sessions

6 person max. per session, lunch included

This will be a hands-on, on water program

Covering:

Session 1, Nymphing and Dry's, September 7th

Session 2, Wet's and Streamers, September 8th

Don Bastian has 49 years of fly fishing experience, including 16 years of guiding and stream-side fly fishing instruction. He specializes in tactical fly fishing whether using drys, wet flies, emergers, streamers, or nymphs. Don stresses versatility and adaptability of fly fishing techniques in his teaching. By becoming a more versatile angler, you will start to catch more fish. These sessions are oriented toward fly anglers who wish to broaden their skills, learn more about tactical fishing with drys, wets, streamers, and nymphs, and ultimately apply the knowledge gained to increase their catch using multiple methods and tactics.

Nymphing: Nymphing is the most effective method to take trout consistently, yet it is difficult to master. For example, not all nymph fishing is bottom dredging. This session teaches numerous methods and skills of nymph fishing covering rods, multiple casting techniques, lines, leaders, flies, weights, indicators, no indicators, tactics, mending and tending, playing fish, multiple water types, basic aquatic entomology, and presentation.

Drys: Trout are arguably easiest to catch when they are rising during a hatch, but this scenario is not always present on the stream. Many anglers fail to catch trout consistently on dry flies during both a hatch or non-hatch situation because they have difficulty making drag-free presentations. This is especially true in heavily-fished waters. This session will focus on dry fly leaders, specialized casts such as a slack-leader cast and pick-up roll cast, mending and tending, targeted casting, greased line and leader techniques, presentation, fishing drys in multiple water types, learning how to recognize drag, and reading the water for effective dry fly fishing.

Wet Flies and Emergers: This session will start off with traditional wet fly fishing-the basic upstream cast, and swinging down-and-across. Other variations of wet fly angling methods will be added including the hand-twist retrieve, and tactics will cover fishing pocket water, pools, deep runs, and riffles. Also included are casting methods and techniques, rods, leaders, reading the water, and presentation.

Streamers: Some of the biggest trout in the stream are caught on streamers. Big fish often eat other fish, and we imitate these prey species with streamers, Wooly Buggers, and other large underwater patterns. This session will focus on streamer tactics, leaders, rods, retrieve techniques, presentation, reading the water, and the proper lines to use for maximum effectiveness when using streamers.

Woman's only Spey School Oct 5/2013 $130 p/p

Drift School Oct 6/2013. $450 p/boat, two drift boats available

While steelhead hold a special place in her heart, Adrienne just loves casting a fly and is happy to target anything willing to be fooled by some feathers on a hook. Adrienne has spent time on many of BC's most well known steelhead waters and trout lakes, and is a sucker for sea run dollies and bull trout. She began Spey casting within two years of picking up a fly rod, and has become extremely proficient with both the single and double handed rod. She also has a passion for fly tying and particularly enjoys crafting elaborate intruder style patterns.

Adrienne worked at Michael & Young Fly Shop in Surrey, BC, for nearly 8 years, and was assistant manager for the last 5 of that time. She guided part time for Women Sportfishing, a division of Great River Fishing Adventures, chasing salmon, sturgeon, steelhead and trout in the Fraser Valley. She teaches fly fishing, single and double hand casting, and tying courses, and has given seminars on such topics as Steelhead Opportunities in the Fraser Valley and Women in Sportfishing. She now currently resides in Calgary where she guides the Bow River for Out Fly Fishing Outfitters in the summer, and works for Fly Fusion magazine and the International Fly Fishing Film Festival in the off season. She has had the opportunity to fly fish in Russia, Alaska and the Florida Keys, and is pro staff for G Loomis Canada, Hatch Reels, and Fishbum Outfitters.