Cancellation Policy & Fees:
If the reservation is cancelled 60+ days from your school date, Orvis will offer a full refund back the original method of payment, or the reservation can be transferred to another available school. If the reservation is cancelled 30-60 days from the date of the school, the customer will have a choice between a refund of 50% or transferring the reservation to another available school. On cancellations 29 days or less there is no refund and no transfer. There will be no refund extended to students who do not attend their scheduled school and do not notify the school within the timeframes listed in this policy. Any reservation that has been transferred to a different date cannot be later cancelled without 100% payment penalty.
For questions please contact Orvis Schools and Reservations (toll free) 866-531-6213
Travel Insurance:
To protect your investment, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance may help you in the event you have to cancel or postpone your trip for reasons outside of your control. It is also beneficial if you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation during your travels. To learn more about purchasing travel insurance or an emergency evacuation membership through Global Rescue, please visit orvis.com/travelinsurance. Please note: you will receive important benefits if your insurance is purchased within 20 calendar days of your trip.
The Orvis Flagship Fly-Fishing School Facility
In 1965 Leigh Perkins determined that there was a need for a fly-fishing school as he believed there were many people who were simply too intimidated by the sport to try it. In 1966, under the direction of the legendary Bill Cairns, Orvis opened its first fly-fishing school, a three-day affair for $75. Since then we’ve educated more than 35,000 people at Orvis schools all over the country.
Our state-of-the-art school facility is located directly across the street from the Flagship Store in Manchester, Vermont where Orvis was founded 153 years ago. Located in the Green Mountains of Southern Vermont, this is not only a magnificent place to visit, but an historic and beautiful place to learn the graceful art of fly fishing. Along with the schoolhouse, there is the Orvis Flagship store and the American Museum of Fly Fishing, all within a few yards of each other. It is truly the heart of American fly fishing. The schoolhouse is a full 6,000 square-foot facility with 4,500 square feet of interior teaching space, and 1,500 square feet of covered porch looking out toward the mountains.
Jim Lepage, Orvis Vice-President of the Rod and Tackle Division, stated,
"I am extremely proud of the Orvis Fly-Fishing School House. First, because it reflects Orvis’s commitment to fly fishing and fly fishers. Second, because there is absolutely no place like it dedicated to the teaching of fly fishing. Outside, you can practice casting in the designated casting area, or relax in Adirondack chairs on the boardwalk deck. Inside, you’ll be treated to a fireplace room with a comfortable couch and chairs, and sporting art that includes works from great sporting artists such as Ogden Pleissner. The spacious classroom is appointed with hickory furniture and has a built-in video projector for teaching. The equipment room includes lockers and space to store waders, vests, and rods."
If ever there was a time to come to Vermont and learn this lifetime pursuit, it is now. You will not only learn from the best, but you will be treated to an experience in the most beautiful facility of its kind anywhere in the world, located at the birthplace of the oldest and most famous fly-fishing company in the world.
2-Day School: DAY ONE
Time | Activity & Description |
9:00 | Student registration at Orvis Retail Store. |
9:45 | Introduction and discussion of class program. |
10:00 | The Orvis Progressive Method to Teaching Fly Casting part one: video on basic casting stroke. |
10:15 | Rainbow Trout Group – Report to casting pond for demonstration
of basic casting stroke. Students casting. Brown Trout Group - Classroom presentation on lines, rods, and reels. |
11:15 | Groups switch. |
12:00pm | Lunch. (Catered to school.) |
1:00 | Classroom presentation (all students) – The Orvis Progressive Method to Teaching Fly Casting part two: video on shooting line, false casting, and roll casting. |
1:30 | Rainbow Trout Group – Report to casting pond for demonstration on
shooting line, false casting, and roll casting. Students casting. Video tape students. Brown Trout Group – Classroom presentation: Knot tying seminar. Discussion on leaders, hands-on knot tying. |
2:45 | Groups switch. |
4:00 | Classroom presentation (all students) – Equipment and accessories. |
4:30 | End of first day. |
2-Day School: DAY TWO
Time | Activity & Description |
8:30 | Classroom presentation (all students) on entomology, fly selection and how to fish flies. Tips on how to handle, photograph, and release fish. Demonstration on hook-setting and fish fighting techniques. |
9:15 | The Orvis Progressive Method to Teaching Fly Casting part three (all students); video on the double haul. |
9:30 | Rainbow Trout – video analysis. Brown Trout – Report to casting pond for demonstration on the double haul. Demonstration on fishing flies in still water; students fishing and practice casting. |
10:45 | Groups switch. |
12:00 | Lunch. (Catered to school.) |
1:00 | Orvis-Endorsed fishing trips, and tips on fishing with guides. Discussion on wading safety. |
1:30 | Battenkill River trip – Talk on reading water. Demonstration on fishing flies in moving water. Students fishing. |
3:30 | Return to schoolroom for closing statements, and graduation certificates. |
4:00 | End of school. |
April 2021 | ||
May 2021 | ||
10-11 | Monday-Tuesday | |
20-21 | Thursday-Friday | |
June 2021 | ||
29-30 | Saturday-Sunday | |
July 2021 | 22-23 | Thursday-Friday |
7/31-8/1 | Saturday-Sunday (1 SPOT LEFT) | |
August 2021 | 5-6 | Thursday-Friday |
12-13 | Thursday-Friday | |
14-15 | ||
21-22 | Saturday-Sunday | |
23-24 | Monday-Tuesday | |
28-29 | Saturday-Sunday | |
September 2021 | 4-5 | Saturday-Sunday |
9-10 | Thursday-Friday | |
11-12 | Saturday-Sunday | |
16-17 | Thursday-Friday | |
20-21 | Monday-Tuesday | |
25-26 | Saturday-Sunday | |
October 2021 | 2-3 | Saturday-Sunday |
April 2022 | 23-24 | Saturday-Sunday |
30-1 | Saturday-Sunday | |
May 2022 | 2-3 | Monday-Tuesday |
9-10 | Monday-Tuesday | |
19-20 | Thursday-Friday | |
23-24 | Monday-Tuesday | |
28-29 | Saturday-Sunday | |
June 2022 | 6-7 | Monday-Tuesday |
11-12 | Saturday-Sunday | |
July 2022 | 21-22 | Thursday-Friday |
23-24 | Saturday-Sunday | |
30-31 | Saturday-Sunday | |
August 2022 | 4-5 | Thursday-Friday |
11-12 | Thursday-Friday | |
13-14 | Saturday-Sunday | |
20-21 | Saturday-Sunday | |
22-23 | Monday-Tuesday | |
27-28 | Saturday-Sunday | |
September 2022 | 3-4 | Saturday-Sunday |
8-9 | Thursday-Friday | |
10-11 | Saturday-Sunday | |
15-16 | Thursday-Friday | |
19-20 | Monday-Tuesday | |
24-25 | Saturday-Sunday | |
October 2022 | 1-2 | Saturday-Sunday |
1-Day Fly-Fishing School
Time | Activity & Description |
9:00 | Student registration at Orvis Retail Store. |
9:30 | Classroom: Introduction and Program Overview |
9:45 | Classroom: The Orvis Progressive Method to Fly Casting Video |
10:00 | Casting Pond: Foundations of the Basic Cast Demonstration |
10:15 | Casting Pond: Individualized Casting Instruction |
11:00 | Classroom: Fly-Fishing Tackle and Fly Selection Presentation |
12:00 | Catered Lunch at the School (included) |
1:00 | Casting Pond: Shooting Line, False Casting, and Roll Cast Demonstration |
1:15 | Casting Pond: Individualized Casting Instruction |
2:00 | Classroom: Leaders, Tippet, and Hands-On Knot-Tying Seminar |
2:30 | Casting Pond: Hook-Setting and Fish Fighting Demonstration |
2:45 | Casting Pond: Students Fish with Individualized Instruction |
3:45 | Classroom: Closing Statements and Graduation |
4:00 | End of School |
April 2021 | ||
19 | Monday | |
26 | Monday | |
May 2021 | 7 | Friday |
14 | Friday | |
17 | Monday | |
28 | Friday | |
31 | Monday | |
June 2021 | 4 | Friday |
11 | Friday | |
14 | Monday | |
21 | Monday | |
25 | Friday | |
28 | Monday | |
July 2021 | 2 | Friday |
5 | Monday | |
9 | Friday | |
16 | Monday | |
19 | Monday | |
26 | Monday | |
30 | Friday | |
August 2021 | 2 | Friday |
7 | Saturday | |
16 | Monday | |
20 | Friday | |
27 | Friday | |
30 | Monday | |
September 2021 | 3 | Friday |
6 | Monday | |
18 | Saturday | |
24 | Friday | |
27 | Monday | |
October 2021 | 1 | Friday |
4 | Monday | |
April 2022 | 9 | Saturday |
15 | Friday | |
18 | Monday | |
25 | Monday | |
May 2022 | 6 | Friday |
7 | Saturday | |
13 | Friday | |
16 | Monday | |
21 | Saturday | |
27 | Friday | |
30 | Monday | |
June 2022 | 3 | Friday |
10 | Friday | |
13 | Monday | |
20 | Monday | |
24 | Friday | |
27 | Monday | |
July 2022 | 1 | Friday |
2 | Saturday | |
8 | Friday | |
15 | Friday | |
18 | Monday | |
25 | Monday | |
29 | Friday | |
August 2022 | 1 | Monday |
6 | Saturday | |
15 | Monday | |
19 | Friday | |
26 | Friday | |
29 | Monday | |
August 2022 | 2 | Friday |
5 | Monday | |
17 | Saturday | |
23 | Friday | |
26 | Monday | |
30 | Friday | |
October 2022 | 3 | Monday |
7 | Friday |
Please contact the Equinox Resort & Spa for lodging and reservations:
Equinox Resort & Spa
3567 Main Street
Manchester, VT 05254
www.equinoxresort.com
800-362-4747
Please mention you will be attending the Orvis Fly Fishing School.
The Equinox Resort
800-362-4747
American Museum of Fly Fishing
Golf
Spa
Tennis
Horseback riding
Archery
Land Rover Experience Driving School
British School of Falconry
Kids' activities include:
Merck Forest and Farmland Center
Bromley Mountain Alpine Slide
Northshire Book Store
Village Picture Shows
Other Activities in the Area
Fine dining
Shopping
Antiquing
Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
Hiking
For a complete list of shops and other activities, go to www.manchestervermont.com
Question: Do I need to buy a Vermont fishing license?
Answer - If attending the Vermont 2-Day Fly Fishing School each student will need to purchase a licenses. For student attending the 1-Day School, they do not purchase a fishing license. Vermont fishing licenses may be purchased online through Vermont Fish and Wildlife.
https://www.vtfwdsales.com/online/license.php
Question: What is the best time of year to fish?
Answer - Late April through June is when the most reliable hatches come off, but any time through the season can be good.
Question: When can we avoid black flies?
Answer - Black flies are not a problem in the Manchester area.
Question: When does the school start and end? What will we be doing during the day? How long will we be fishing?
Answer - Refer to the school itinerary for the schedule.
Question: What is included in the price of the school?
Answer - Use of Orvis fly rods/reels, leaders, flies, and where necessary waders and vests.
Question: Is lodging included?
Answer - No. Lodging arrangements are made separately by the students.
Question: Are meals included?
Answer - Lunch is the only meal included in the school tuition price.
Question: Where can I stay?
Answer - At the hosts’ lodging, or nearby lodging of your choice.
Question: How many people will be in the class?
Answer - That depends on the school. The range is 12 to 36 students, always with a ratio of one instructor for every four students.
Question: Do we stop the school because of weather?
Answer - No.
Question: How much time is spent in the classroom vs. casting and fishing?
Answer - See school itinerary on specific school page.
Question: Can you bring your own equipment?
Answer - Yes.
Question: Is this class for intermediate anglers?
Answer - Yes. In casting, we adjust our instruction to the individual student’s level.
Question: How old do my children have to be to join me in this fishing school?
Answer - At the Santa Rosa Beach School, youngsters should be at least 14 years old (because of the heavier tackle used). All other schools we recommend 12 years of age.
Question: What is the cancellation policy?
Answer - If the reservation is cancelled 60+ days from your school date, Orvis will offer a full refund back the original method of payment, or the reservation can be transferred to another available school. If the reservation is cancelled 30-60 days from the date of the school, the customer will have a choice between a refund of 50% or transferring the reservation to another available school. On cancellations 29 days or less there is no refund and no transfer. There will be no refund extended to students who do not attend their scheduled school and do not notify the school within the timeframes listed in this policy. Any reservation that has been transferred to a different date cannot be later cancelled without 100% payment penalty.
Question: What other recreation is available near the school?
Answer - See information on specific school page.
Question: Will I be able to attend the same class as my son/wife/etc, even though I am an intermediate and they are a beginner?
Answer - Yes. In casting, we adjust our instruction to the individual student’s level.
Question: Are there opportunities for guided fishing afterwards?
Answer - Yes. See information on specific school page, school itinerary or inquire directly to your fly fishing school instructor.