"I thought I was pretty handy with a flyrod until I got to your
class. Man, I knew nothing! Since I have been home and have done some practicing,
I feel not only proficient, but that I can teach someone and feel that
I have done them right." Les Collins - Wyoming
The Montana Fly Fishing Guide School was designed to give the participants a full understanding and appreciation of the guiding profession so that upon completion of the course, the graduate will have the information and skills necessary to become a professional fly fishing guide. The seven day course will offer 2 days of classroom seminars covering such topics as Guide Etiquette and Expectations, Teaching Strategies for Basic and Advanced Casting, Essential Guide Equipment and Maintenance, Entomology, Knot Tying Techniques, and Role Play Exercises addressing real guiding scenarios.
The four full days on the water will feature two students per Mackenzie drift boat with one professionally licensed guide. This "hands on" segment of the course will start with rowing basics and progress to advanced maneuvers with an emphasis on safety, boat controlling techniques, and drift boat fishing techniques. The goal is that the student will feel comfortable approaching all but the most formidable white water by the end of the course. Additional topics will include guide etiquette on the water and at the boat ramp, reading the water, conducting streamside casting clinics, backing a trailer, loading and unloading the drift boat, and playing and landing fish quickly and efficiently.
Our goal is that every graduate of the course will not only have experience rowing a drift boat in a variety of water conditions, be well versed in teaching strategies for fishing and casting techniques, and understand professional guiding etiquette and protocol, but will also be able to approach his or her guiding career with confidence and proficiency. The skills learned in this class will benefit you whether your ultimate goal is to become a fly fishing guide, or simply to learn more about the sport we all love, flyfishing.
