Learn to fly fish at the Orvis Wisconsin Fly-Fishing School at Milford Hills in Johnson Creek. Located within and easy drive from Madison and Milwaukee, and only 2 ½ hours from Chicago, Milford Hills sits on more than 500 acres in the beautiful rolling hills of southern Wisconsin, making this an ideal venue to learn how to fly fish. The school covers everything from fly casting, choosing the right tackle, leaders and knots, to fly selection and how to safely release fish. After the school, students can participate in a variety of shooting activities as well as a well-stocked pub and great dining experience. Milford Hills also is considered an Orvis Hunting Grounds for great upland hunting throughout the fall, winter, and spring.
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.
Time | Activity & Description |
9:00 | Student registration at Milford Hills Hideaway (West side of parking lot). |
9:30 | Introduction and discussion of class program. |
9:45 | Classroom presentation – The Orvis Progressive Method to Fly Casting video. |
10:00 | Report to casting area for demonstration on the basic casting stroke; students casting. |
11:00 | Classroom presentation – Tackle and flies. |
12:00 | Lunch (catered to school.) |
1:00 | Report to casting area for demonstration on shooting line, false casting, and roll casting; students casting. |
2:00 | Classroom presentation – Knot tying seminar. Discussion on leaders, hands-on knot tying. |
2:30 | Pond fishing trip – Demonstration on hook-setting and fish fighting techniques. Demonstration on fishing flies. Students fishing and practice casting. |
3:45 | Return to classroom for closing statements, and graduation certificates. |
4:00 | End of school. |
2-Day School: DAY ONE
Time | Activity & Description |
9:00 | Student registration at Milford Hills Hideaway (West side of parking lot). |
9:30 | Introductions and discussion of class program. |
9:45 | Classroom presentation – Lines, rods, and reels. Video on The Orvis Progressive Method to Teaching Fly Casting part one: The basic casting stroke. |
10:45 | Report to casting area for demonstration of the basic cast; students casting. |
Noon | Lunch (catered). |
1:00 | Classroom presentation – The Orvis Progressive Method to Teaching Fly Casting part two: video on shooting line, false casting, and roll casting. |
1:15 | Report to casting area for demonstration on shooting line, false casting, and roll casting; students casting. Video tape students. |
2:30 | Classroom presentation – Knot tying seminar. Discussion on leaders, hands-on knot tying. |
4:00 | Classroom presentation – Equipment and accessories. |
4:30 | End of first day. |
2-Day School: DAY TWO
Time | Activity & Description |
8:30 | Classroom presentation – Entomology, fly selection, and how to fish flies. Tips on how to handle, photograph, and release fish. |
9:30 | Demonstration on hook-setting and fish fighting techniques. |
9:45 | Classroom presentation – Video analysis. The Orvis Progressive Method to Teaching Fly Casting part three: video on the double haul. |
10:45 | Report to casting area for demonstration on the double haul. Demonstration on casting in windy conditions safely. |
Noon | Lunch (catered). |
1:00 | Orvis-Endorsed fishing trips, and tips on fishing with guides. Discussion on wading safety. |
1:30 | Pond Fishing 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. |
3:45 | End of school. |
April 2021 | 30 | Friday |
May 2021 | 8 | Saturday |
29 | Saturday | |
June 2021 | 4 | Friday |
July 2021 | 3 | Saturday |
August 2021 | 21 | Saturday |
27 | Friday | |
September 2021 | 4 | Saturday |
24 | Friday | |
April 2021 | 17-18 | Saturday-Sunday |
24-25 | Saturday-Sunday | |
May 2021 | 13-14 | Thursday-Friday |
22-23 | Saturday-Sunday | |
June 2021 | 10-11 | Thursday-Friday |
19-20 | Saturday-Sunday | |
July 2021 | 8-9 | Thursday-Friday |
17-18 | Saturday-Sunday | |
29-30 | Thursday-Friday | |
August 2021 | 7-8 | Saturday-Sunday |
12-13 | Thursday-Friday | |
September 2021 | 9-10 | Thursday-Friday |
18-19 | Saturday-Sunday | |
October 2021 | 2-3 | Saturday-Sunday |
Milford Hills has one, standalone cabin that can sleep seven individuals. The entire North Lodge can be rented by an individual or group of people. There are 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths in the North Lodge. To book the North Lodge for your class, email lodgeinfo@milfordhills.com. Lodge requests will be handled on a first-come-first-serve basis as it cannot be occupied by more than one group.
$400/night
Days Inn by Wyndham Johnson Creek
W4545 Linmar Lane
Johnson Creek, WI 53038
(920) 343-6613
(11 miles from Milford Hills)
Comfort Suites Johnson Creek
725 Paradise Lane
Johnson Creek, WI 53038
(920) 699-2800
(10 miles from Milford Hills)
Holiday Inn Express Watertown
101 Aviation Way
Watertown, WI 53094
(920) 262-1910
(6.5 miles from Milford Hills)