Complete Trout School at West Branch Angler, New York
The Upper Delaware River System is steeped in the history of the earliest fly fishing in America
Details
Learn how to become a complete trout angler at the Orvis Complete Trout School at West Branch Angler, located in Hancock, NY, the heart of the Catskills. The Upper Delaware River System is a fly angler's paradise—steeped in the history of the earliest fly fishing in America, the Catskills are where it all began. The area offers many beautiful rivers to choose from, all offering excellent fish habitat and featuring varied species to hone your angling skills. Whether you fish the West Branch, the East Branch, or the Main Delaware, prepare to fall in love with the area and the fishery.
West Branch Angler Resort's upscale log cabin accommodations are nestled in a sprawling 300-acre park-like setting along a 2-mile private section of the West Branch of the Delaware River. Known as the Gateway to the Catskills, the surrounding mountain scenery and grounds are marvelous. Bigger and better than ever, the West Branch Angler was completely renovated in 2007 with 12 new cabins and new amenities such as wireless Internet access and a new pavilion. Whether you're fly fishing on the East's most productive wild trout fishery, shooting a round of sporting clays or taking a riverside hike on one of our groomed trails, it's no wonder that the West Branch Angler is known as the premier outdoor destination in the East. Conveniently located only a few hours from the major metros of the Northeast.
In this comprehensive school, you will have the opportunity to fish from drift boats or get out and wade for different species of trout including brown and rainbow. Learn how to catch trout in many different scenarios. You will learn how to fish with dry flies, nymphs, and streamers, how to read the water, and how to select the right fly. The skills and memories you gain here will certainly last a lifetime.
For more information about an Orvis Fly Fishing School call 866-531-6213.
Itinerary
Arrival day:
| Time | Activity & Description |
| 2:00 | Check in at West Branch Angler |
| 6:30 | Appetizers and cocktails |
| 7:00 | Dinner/introductions and discussion of class program |
Day One:
| Time | Activity & Description |
| 7:00 | Breakfast |
| 8:30 | Brief discussion of equipment (rod, reel, line) |
| 9:15 | Pick up and lay down cast - what a fly rod needs to do in order to work |
| 9:30 | Students casting |
| 10:45 | Return to the lodge |
| 11:00 | Discussion on leaders and tippet, knots, and rigging for trout in a variety of situations |
| Noon | Lunch |
| 1:00 | Discussion on getting your line hand involved, shooting line, false casting, roll casting |
| 1:15 | Students casting |
| 2:30 | Videotape students casting |
| 3:00 | Discussion on fish senses, fly selection, basic entomology |
| 4:00 | Students walk to the river for discussion on reading water, how to fish dry flies, wet flies, nymphs, and streamers; learn how and why you mend your line |
| 5:00 | End of first day; students are welcome to continue to fish until dinner |
| 6:30 | Appetizers and cocktails |
| 7:00 | Dinner - after dinner guests are welcome to fish and look for an evening hatch, but be prepared for an early start and two full days on the water |
Day Two
| Time | Activity & Description |
| 7:30 | Breakfast buffet |
| 8:00 | Depart for full day of guided fishing to develop your new or refined skills |
| Noon | Lunch served streamside |
| 4-6 | Return to lodge |
| 6:30 | Appetizers and cocktails |
| 7:00 | Dinner |
Day Three
| Time | Activity & Description |
| 7:30 | Breakfast buffet |
| 8:00 | Depart for full day of guided fishing to develop your new or refined skills |
| Noon | Lunch served streamside |
| 4-6 | Return to lodge |
| 6:30 | Appetizers and cocktails |
| 7:00 | Dinner |
Day Four
| Time | Activity & Description |
| 7:30 | Breakfast buffet |
| 10:00 | Guests depart |
Dates
| June 2019 | 3-7 | Monday - Friday |
| June 2019 | 10-14 | Monday - Friday |
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