Lesson options

This lesson is for 1-3 people & is geared toward 

1. Students who have never fly fished before,
2. Students who have tried it one or more times on their own but feel they could benefit from some formal instruction, or
3. Anglers who used to fly fish & are looking for a way to get back into the sport.

Students may use their own equipment, or we can provide the basic equipment for use during the casting lesson.

Topics for this lesson option include:

• Basic casting fundamentals including a pick-up-and-laydown cast & a water tension cast;
• Casting to targets,
• Hooking, playing, & landing fish,
• Basic knots,
• Intro to rigging for dry fly, nymphing, & dry-dropper fishing,
• Intro to fly selection & entomology,
• Fly fishing etiquette, &
• Places to fish.  

Single lessons can be for up to 3 people for 

1, 1-1/2, or 2 hour sesstions.  With this option, you need to let me know what your casting level(s) is/are, what issues you are having, and what you would like to cover in your lesson.

GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE AVAILABLE FOR MOST LESSON OPTIONS.  SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS.  

Multiple-lesson packages are also available for up to 3 people providing some cost savings over the single-lesson rate. Bronze/Silver packages include 3 & 4, 1hr sessions, respectively. Saltwater packages include 4 hours of instruction (1 - 1hr session & 2 - 1.5hr sessions). All multiple-lesson packages include at least one video analysis of student casting. 

See below for more details.

BRONZE   

(This is the most popular option chosen by my students.)

The 3-lesson Bronze package is geared toward getting a beginning caster to have the skills necessary to accomplish Fly Fishers International's Bronze Skills Challenge. 

Anglers completing this lesson set will have developed solid intermediate to advanced-intermediate casting skills demonstrated over 7 useful fishing tasks.  Casting skills included in the Bronze lesson set

• Loops, loop quality, how to make & control loops,
• Onside, off-side, & side-arm casting techniques,
• Proper roll cast techniques & controlling roll cast loops,
• Shooting line
• Tools for getting better accuracy,
• Distance & extending line while false casting.

Upon successful completion of the Bronze Skills Challenge, a frameable certificate & pin are available through Fly Fishers International if the caster so chooses. 

SILVER

A 4-Lesson package is available for those who have achieved the Bronze Level of Fly Fishers International Skills Challenges. This lesson set targets the Silver Skills Challenge Level & culminates with an introduction to the Double-Haul. Anglers completing this lesson set will have developed advanced-intermediate to advanced casting skills that they have demonstrated over 8 useful fishing tasks.  Casting skills included in the Bronze lesson set

• Loops, loop quality, & controlling loops with longer line lengths,
• Nondominant side casting & roll casting,
• Constant Tension Cast (Belgian cast),
• Enhanced accuracy & change of direction casts,
• Reach mends,
• Enhanced distance casting.
• Double-haul.

Upon successful completion of the Silver Skills Challenge, a frameable certificate & pin are available through Fly Fishers International if the caster so chooses. 

GOLD

For students who have achieved both the Bronze & Silver levels of the Fly Fishers International Casting Skills Challenge program with me, I will work with them on a mentoring arrangement. This requires pre-approval & special access privileges to schedule through the website.

Gold level casting students can clearly demonstrate advanced casting skills across a variety of fishing conditions.  ALL loops, including pickup loops, are less than 4 ft in width with a relatively straight top leg.  These narrow loops are demonstrated in all of the 8 fishing tasks that make up the Gold Skills Challenge.  The caster can have no tailing loops.

Upon successful completion of the Gold Skills Challenge, a frameable certificate & pin are available through Fly Fishers International if the caster so chooses. 

SALTWATER  (see next section)

CUSTOMIZED MULTI-LESSON SETS (3 Lesson Minimum) 

I can sometimes create a customized 3-lesson set. These require prior approval & a special access code to schedule. Reach out to me for more information.

A 3-lesson package geared toward saltwater fly fishing from a flats boat is available for 1-3 people. My most requested saltwater lessons are for improved accuracy, more distance, and better double-haul techniques. This typically requires multiple lessons, with time for 3-4 practice outings between lessons.

The best option for most saltwater anglers, & my most popular saltwater preparatory lesson option, for both experienced saltwater anglers & those new to saltwater fishing, is to sign up for the Saltwater Flats Boat 3-Lesson Package. It includes 4 hours of instruction (1 - 1 hr session & 2 - 1.5 hr sessions) & includes a video analysis of the student's basic casting skills & double-haul technique. It is geared toward anglers who will be fishing from a flats boat & includes topics such as:

• Loop formation & control
• Multiple off-side casting techniques, including off-shoulder & Barnegat Bay casting,
• The SWQC (Saltwater Quick Cast),
• Accuracy, distance, & wind casting,
• Efficiency tips & tactics,
• Techniques for extending/shortening line while false casting,
• Double-haul & distance casting
• The "Clock" system, casting zones, saltwater call-outs, & communications,
• Flats boat techniques
• Flats boat simulated practice.

* For students who won't be fishing from a flats boat or panga boat, most of what I cover in this package will still apply.  Most of my saltwater students select this lesson set regardless of the fishing conditions that will apply on their upcoming trip.    

Lessons for groups larger than 3 students can be arranged. For group lessons, we will need to get into specifics about the group to make the most of our time together.

Depending on the size and nature of the group, I may elicit the assistance of some of my casting instructor colleagues for these lessons to make the lesson experience the best possible.

PRIVATE CASTING LESSONS MAKE GREAT GIFTS!

Gift Certificates are available for most lesson options, but not through the website.  

EMAIL me at:  bill@rockinthehatch.com to inquire about which option you'd like to purchase for that special someone.

For students who are new to casting and fly fishing, have done it a few times, have never had any formal casting instruction, or have been away from the sport for awhile and want to kick start their return.

Topics - All Are Directed At Fishing Skills:

• Casting Fundamentals
• Pickup-and-Laydown Cast
• False Casting & Changing Directions
• Roll Cast (Dominant and Non-Dominant Sides)
• Water-Tension Cast
• Basic Knots & Rigging
• Basic Entomology & Fly Selection

Applicable Lesson Sets

• Intro to Fly Fishing
• Bronze 3-Lesson Set

For students who have been fishing awhile & want to take their casting to a new level or are struggling with some casting conditions. Note:  some or all of the beginner topics may need to be reviewed before these topics can be addressed.

Topics - All Are Directed At Fishing Skills:

• Loop Formation and Control
• Intro to Distance Casting
• Slipping / Shooting Line
• Achieving Better Accuracy
• Casting in the Wind:  Line Speed, Casting Plane, & Casting Trajectory Adjustments
• Intro to Constant Tension Cast (Belgian Cast)

Applicable Lesson Sets

• Bronze 3-Lesson Set
• Silver 3-Lesson Set

For experienced casters.  Typically these students are able to make & maintain consistent, good-quality loops & can fish in a variety of conditions.

Topics - All Are Directed At Fishing Skills:

• Loop Formation and Control Fine-Tuning
• Aireal Mends
• Slack Line Casts
• Non-Dominant Side Casting
• Back Cast Presentations (Barnegat Bay and Galway Casts)
• Curve Casts
• Advanced Distance Casting Techniques
• Double-Haul