Manchester, Vermont Fly-Fishing School / 1-Day School

Our Vermont fly fishing school lessons will give you all the skills you need to fish with confidence.

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Manchester, Vermont Fly-Fishing School / 1-Day School

Our Vermont fly fishing school lessons will give you all the skills you need to fish with confidence.

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Type: 1-Day School
$339
Per Person
Have Questions? 
Live Chat is Available

Manchester, Vermont Fly-Fishing School


Phone icon866-531-6213 Email iconschools@orvis.com
$589
Per Person
Have Questions? 
Live Chat is Available

Manchester, Vermont Fly-Fishing School


Phone icon866-531-6213 Email iconschools@orvis.com
Item #10RA2259

The Story

If learning to fly fish or improving your casting technique seems like a daunting task, you just haven't met the right fishing instructors. Pick up a fly rod at the Orvis Manchester Fly-Fishing School, situated in the heart of Vermont's Green Mountains and, whether you choose our one-day or two-day school, you'll leave with the knowledge and know-how to cast like a seasoned angler. Our expert instructors help you with everything from setting up the rod, to fly selection and knots, to how to safely release your catch. Fishing classes are held in our state-of-the-art schoolhouse situated directly across from the Orvis Flagship Store, on our fully-stocked casting pond, and out on the famed Battenkill.

You'll cover it all at the Manchester, Vermont Fly-Fishing School:

  • Fly casting techniques
  • Essential fly fishing knots
  • How to choose your gear and tackle
  • Stream entomolgy (the science of insects)
  • Proper fly selection
  • How to read water and currents
  • How to play, land, and safely release fish

Please note: Our rates for schools are set to increase in 2025.

Orvis is pleased to offer our travel customers access to two valuable services: Global Rescue travel membership and IMG Signature Travel Insurance℠.

Learn More

Both 1 & 2 Day Schools offer small class sizes – a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio.

1-Day Fly-Fishing School Overview

  • Introduction to gear: line, rod and reel
  • Presentation of the Orvis Progressive Method to Fly Casting
  • Demonstrations on shooting line, false casting, and roll casting
  • Practice time and hands-on casting instruction by some of the best instructors in the industry
  • Seminars on fly selection, handling fish and landing fish
  • Knot tying discussion and practice
  • Catered lunch and time to chat with classmates
  • Special offers on Orvis gear

2-Day Fly-Fishing School Overview

  • 2-Day programs include recording and video analysis of each student's cast
  • Introduction to gear: line, rod and reel, additional equipment and accessories
  • Demonstrations on shooting line, false casting, and roll casting
  • Study and practice the double haul
  • Practice time and hands-on casting instruction by some of the best instructors in the industry
  • Dive deeper into seminars on fly selection, how to fish different types of flies, handling fish, landing fish and additional discussion of entomology
  • Knot tying discussion and practice
  • Introduction to wading safety, planning trips with guides and Orvis-Endorsed network
  • Practice session on the water with instructors (offered at most locations)
  • Catered lunch and time to chat with classmates
  • Special offers on Orvis gear

If you want to learn more, please reach out to the Schools Team and request the specific itinerary for your chosen Orvis School location.

1-Day School
August 2024 3 Saturday
  12 Monday
  16 Friday
  23 Friday
  26 Monday
  30 Friday
September 2024 2 Monday
  13 Friday
  16 Monday
  20 Friday
  23 Monday
  27 Friday
  30 Monday
October 2024 4 Friday
  7 Monday
  11 Friday
  14 Monday
  18 Friday
  25 Friday
  26 Saturday
April 2025 12 Saturday
  13 Sunday
  14 Monday
  18 Friday
  19 Saturday
  20 Sunday
  21 Monday
  25 Friday
  28 Monday
May 2025 2 Friday
  3 Saturday
  4 Sunday
  9 Friday
  12 Monday
  17 Saturday
  23 Friday
  26 Monday
  30 Friday
June 2025 6 Friday
  16 Monday
  20 Friday
  23 Monday
  27 Friday
  30 Monday
July 2025 5 Saturday
  11 Friday
  14 Monday
  19 Saturday
  20 Sunday
  21 Monday
  25 Friday
  28 Monday
August 2025 8 Friday
  11 Monday
  15 Friday
  22 Friday
  25 Monday
  29 Friday
September 2025 8 Monday
  12 Friday
  19 Friday
  22 Monday
  29 Monday
October 2025 3 Friday
  6 Monday
  10 Friday
  11 Saturday
  13 Monday
  17 Friday
  18 Saturday
  19 Sunday
  20 Monday
2-Day School
August 2024 1-2 Thursday/Friday
  8-9 Thursday/Friday
  10-11 Saturday/Sunday
  17-18 Saturday/Sunday
  19-20 Monday/Tuesday
  24-25 Saturday/Sunday
  8/31-9/1 Saturday/Sunday
September 2024 5-6 Thursday/Friday
  7-8 Saturday/Sunday
  21-22 Saturday/Sunday
  28-29 Saturday/Sunday
October 2024 5-6 Saturday/Sunday
  12-13 Saturday/Sunday
  19-20 Saturday/Sunday
April 2025 26-27 Saturday/Sunday
May 2025 5-6 Monday/Tuesday
  19-20 Monday/Tuesday
  24-25 Saturday/Sunday
June 2025 7-8 Saturday/Sunday
  14-15 Saturday/Sunday
  28-29 Saturday/Sunday
July 2025 17-18 Thursday/Friday
  26-27 Saturday/Sunday
August 2025 2-3 Saturday/Sunday
  9-10 Saturday/Sunday
  16-17 Saturday/Sunday
  18-19 Monday/Tuesday
  23-24 Saturday/Sunday
  30-31 Saturday/Sunday
September 2025 20-21 Saturday/Sunday
  27-28 Saturday/Sunday
October 2025 4-5 Saturday/Sunday

The Orvis Flagship Fly-Fishing School Facility

The Orvis Flagship Fly Fishing School FacilityIn 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.

The Orvis Flagship Fly Fishing School FacilityOur 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 The Orvis Flagship Fly Fishing School Facilitychairs, 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.

Lodging

The Equinox Resort
3567 Main Street
Manchester, VT 05254
www.equinoxresort.com
800-362-4747

Activities

  • American Museum of Fly Fishing
  • Golf
  • Spa
  • Tennis
  • Horseback riding
  • Archery
  • Land Rover Experience Driving School
  • British School of Falconry
  • Fine dining
  • Shopping
  • Antiquing
  • Hildene, The Lincoln Family Home
  • Hiking

Kids' activities include:

  • Merck Forest and Farmland Center
  • Bromley Mountain Alpine Slide
  • Northshire Book Store
  • Village Picture Shows


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: 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: 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.

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