Learn this challenging sport right from the start with our staff of experts.
Our fly fishing schools are staffed with the most knowledgeable experts we could find. Whether you choose to pursue the adventure of fly fishing on small trout streams or big rivers, bass lakes or ocean flats, there's an Orvis Fly Fishing School to show you everything you need to know. Our schools are the oldest in the country, and our professional instructors have the knowledge and experience to skillfully introduce you to this great pastime. Under the watchful eyes of Orvis instructors you'll receive a wealth of information, including instruction in casting techniques, essential knots for fly tying, how to choose your gear and tackle, stream entomology, proper fly selection, how to read water, and how to play, land, and safely release fish.
Choose from eight spectacular locations.
In the summer of 2005 we are offering fun and informative Orvis fly fishing schools in 8 convenient locations: Manchester, Vermont, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Homestead, Virginia, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Ridgedale, Missouri, Glenn Arbor, Michigan, and Sandanona, New York. Each fly fishing school makes sure it covers the same basic information, but the instruction is also adapted for each unique location.
Classes at the Manchester, Vermont, school, for instance, are taught on our casting pools, in our classrooms, and on the famed Battenkill River in Vermont, while our Cape Cod locations will be taught in classrooms and on the scenic Cape Cod seashore, for two very different experiences. At our Idaho Orvis school, you'll get to fish the West's most famous trout waters while you learn.
Each student at all our fly fishing schools receives comprehensive instruction, a fishing license as required, daily lunch, use of Orvis equipment including a rod, reel, line, flies, and waders, and access to the fishing location before and after class. Most seminars last between two and two and a half days - the extra half day schedules in extra fishing time outside of class. Whether you're a complete beginner or are looking to improve your skills, you'll find these seminars valuable and informative.
We make special arrangements for our students, where possible, with high quality lodging facilities, so that your entire stay will be enjoyable, in and out of class. Simply click on each location on our Fly Fishing Schools web page for the name of the inn or lodge with an agreement with Orvis, then contact the facility for more information.
We actively support wildlife preservation.
Whether you're taking one of our great fly fishing schools or purchasing a selection of our high quality fishing gear and accessories, you'll be doing your part to help support wildlife preservation; we at Orvis proudly donate 5 percent of our pretax profits to preserving fish and wildlife habitats, throughout the United States.
"To one who has not acquired the art of fishing with a fly, let me suggest that a day or two with an expert will save much time and trouble. There are many little things that cannot be well described, and would take a long time to find out by experience, that can be learned very quickly when seen."
When Leigh Perkins founded the first Orvis Fly Fishing School in Manchester, Vermont in 1966, he was hoping that 20 people would sign up. 150 people signed up instead, and the fishing school was an instant success. Since that time, there have been other fishing schools that have imitated Orvis teaching methods, but we're the original and still the best at providing expert, patient and thorough instruction for fly fishers of all ages and experience levels.
