Learn to Think Like a Fish

Where to Learn to Think Like a Fish

To catch a fish, you have to think like a fish – so make like fish and join a school. The quickest way to learn the art of fly fishing is to sign up for a class. One day of fly fishing school can prevent 30 years of mistakes and prepare you to hook the big one in a matter of days. There are lots of choices. The Fly Fisherman magazine compiled this list of his favorite schools around the country:

Alleberry Resort Inn, Boiling Springs, Pa: Fly fisher-wannabes in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., have to travel only about two hours. Students split their time between taking classes and fishing on a heavily stocked stream. Because of the school's proximity to major urban areas, the students tend to be young professionals.

Creative Sports Enterprises, Pleasant Hill, California: Creative Sports students spend a week fishing on the Snake River in Idaho, which is one of the best spots in the world. The fish there are wild (not bred), so it's more difficult, but not impossible, for beginners to catch them. Most students are affluent professionals.

The Fly Box, Bend, Ore.: This is a good option for locals who don't have a lot of time and are checking out fly fishing for the first time. If you're planning on a half-day lesson, do some preparatory reading before you get there.

Joan and Lee Wulff Fishing School, Lew Beach, N.Y.: This is one of the only schools conducted by a woman, Joan Wulff. But men and women alike are guaranteed excellent instruction here, and the location, on the Beaverkill River, is convenient for commuting New Yorkers.

Learn to think like a fish. Photo by Elena.

Kaufmann's Fly Fishing Expeditions, Portland, Ore.: Located on the Deschutes River, which is only two and a half hours from Portland. Three days - - two in the shop, one in the river.

L.L.Bean Fly Fishing Schools, Freeport, Maine: L.L. Bean may be the best introduction to fly fishing in New England. You'll split your days between fishing on the Grand Lake Stream and attending seminars on everything from tackle to entomology. The emphasis may be on bass fishing because of the ponds and streams you'll be fishing on, but the techniques are universal. There are classes for all levels of experience, and the student-instructor ratio is very low. 

The Orvis Company, Manchester, Vt.: Orvis is the oldest fly fishing company in the United States, which means that you get history and tradition along with excellent instruction on the Battenkill River. Several other Orvis shops across the country also offer first-rate classes. Responding to the growing number of women interested in fishing, Orvis has started a school exclusively for women. The crowd here tends to be slightly younger, even with some children included in the classes.

Sage/Winslow, Bainbridge Island, Wash.: Like Orvis, Sage has other locations in the West, making it convenient for those not in the Seattle area. Sage is one of the top rod makers in the country, so you receive excellent instruction in the fundamentals of tackle and equipment.

If none of these schools fits your budget or schedule, chances are your local fly shop offers classes of its own – or try joining a local fly fishing club, which may offer free of cheap instruction.