Intro to Fly Fishing Class

If you want to learn to fly fish from the ground up, this is the class. Ed's Fly Shop's Intro to Fly Fishing Class runs every May in Montrose, Colorado. It covers the four things a new angler has to understand, in order: the equipment, the knots, the bugs and the cast, taught by the same guides who work the Gunnison and the Uncompahgre all summer.

The class meets four times over four weeks, three Monday evenings and one Saturday. Mondays are in the shop. Saturday is on the water, where you use what you learned.

What You Learn

Equipment. How rods, reels, lines, leaders and tippet work together, and how to set up an outfit that is balanced for the water you fish.

Knots. The handful of knots you actually need, tied until they are automatic. You will leave able to tie your own flies onto your line.

Entomology. What is hatching on our rivers and when, how to look at the water and figure out what the fish are eating, and how to pick a fly to match it.

Casting. The roll cast, the overhead cast and the mend, with hands on practice and a guide correcting you as you go. You will understand the different casts and when each one is the right choice.

By the end you will be comfortable with fly fishing terminology, which means a fly shop, a fishing report, or a guide will make sense to you.

What Is Included

Four sessions of structured instruction from Ed's Fly Shop guides, in depth lessons on each topic, and hands on practice throughout.

What Is Not Included

Equipment rentals, a Colorado fishing license, food and snacks, and instructor gratuities. A license is required for the Saturday session on the water.

What to Bring

Comfortable outdoor clothing, polarized sunglasses, a hat and a water bottle. Bring your personal fly fishing gear if you have it. If you do not, tell us when you register and the shop will arrange a rental.

Where

Ed's Fly Shop, 432 E Main St, Montrose, Colorado, for the Monday sessions. The Saturday session is on local water close to town. We confirm the exact spot when you register.

Who It Is For

Anyone who has wanted to try fly fishing and did not know where to start. Anyone who has been handed a rod and a box of flies and never understood what to do with them. Couples, parents and kids, and people new to the valley who want to fish the water they moved here for.

Not ready for the full course? Start with our beginner fly fishing guide, or book a two hour casting lesson.

Questions About the Class

When is the Intro to Fly Fishing Class?

The class runs in May. It meets four times: three Monday evenings and one Saturday, so you learn in the shop during the week and put it to use on the water on the weekend.

Do I need any experience or gear?

No experience at all. The class starts from zero. Bring your own rod and reel if you have one. If you do not, the shop can set you up with a rental for the Saturday session.

What will I be able to do when it is over?

Set up a fly rod, tie your flies to your leader, read a stretch of water and choose a fly that matches what is hatching, and make the basic casts and know when to use each. You will also understand the terminology, so a fly shop or a guide makes sense to you.

How do I sign up?

Call Ed's Fly Shop at 970-964-9991 or stop in at 432 E Main St in Montrose. Class size is limited so everyone gets hands on time.

What if I only want to learn to cast?

Book a two hour casting lesson instead. It is offered through the season and focuses only on the cast.

Ready to Sign Up?

Registration opens in the spring and the class fills. Call the shop at 970-964-9991 to hold your spot.