School Agenda
Here is a description of a typical three-day agenda for the basic and intermediate schools. The advanced school agenda is determined by the needs of the advanced students.
The agenda for the school is in each student’s packet that they receive at check-in and is posted prominently at all entrances to the facility.
Friday
9:00 – Noon: Arrive, register, check-in for lodging, check of your fly fishing equipment and/or assignment of loaner equipment as needed. Also, during this time we have tables set up to start learning knots.
Noon – 1:00 pm: Lunch is served at the Ranch.
1:00 – 2:00 pm: Introduction to the school and the first lecture on fly fishing dynamics and equipment.
2:00 – 4:00 pm: Practice casting on the lawn and ponds and knot tying. This is your first opportunity to get a fly rod in your hands and to start casting. Also, as our casting arm gets weary, we take a break to work through our knots.
4:00 – 5:00 pm: The students get a chance to take a break and sit down for a discussion of tackle types, casting principles, and vest gadgets. This is an informative and entertaining segment.
5:30 – 6:30 pm: Dinner (no one has ever left this weekend hungry or lighter!)
6:30 – 7:30 pm: Casting and/or knot practice. Intermediate group learns some casts beyond basic loop control.
7:30 – 9:30 pm: Students’ Choice
During this time period we have a number of activities available such as:
- Fly Tying – We have two sessions per night for up to seven students at the fly-tying table.
- Videos – While waiting for a shot at the fly-tying table, you can see videos that give more information on trout and their habitat.
- Fishing – Instructors may be available to accompany Intermediate students in the river.
Saturday
7:30 – 8:30 am: Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30 am: Video – Anatomy of a Trout Stream
9:50 – Noon: This is one of the most popular segments of the school where you will go through four stations in the stream and see demonstrations on Dry Fly/Nymph, Wet Fly, and Streamer techniques, and at the bug station where we will show some of the aquatic life that is key to the trout’s habitat.
12:15 – 1:00 pm: Lunch
1:15 – 5:00 pm: Intermediate group works on in-stream practice
1:15 – 1:30 pm: Leader Presentation
1:30 – 1:45 pm: Basic Fly Presentation
2:00 – 2:30 pm: Casting demonstration at the ponds
2:40 – 5:00 pm: In-stream instruction. Students try out their casting skills in the Boardman River.
6:00 – 7:00 pm: Dinner
7:00 – 9:00 pm: Students’ choice.
During this time, we have a number of activities available such as:
- Fly Tying – We have two sessions per night for up to seven students at the fly-tying table.
- Videos – While waiting for a shot at the fly-tying table, you can see videos that give more information on trout and their habitat.
- Fishing – Instructors may be available to accompany Intermediate students in the river.
- Lawn Trout – Weather permitting, students and instructors team up in pairs for a good-natured competition in casting skills. Prizes are awarded to those who participate.
Sunday
8:00 – 9:00 am: Breakfast (a light one since lunch isn’t!)
9:00 – 10:00 am: School Review. This is an excellent time to ask questions about any of the topics you’ve heard in the school. We will briefly cover some sources of information so you can continue to learn after leaving the school
10:00 – 11:30 am Students’ Choice (Casting, knots, fishing)
11:30 – Noon: Return any loaner equipment
Noon – 1:00 pm: Lunch
1:00 – 2:00pm: Graduation & Trout Unlimited Presentation
Each student will get a Certificate upon completion of the school. We also will discuss Trout Unlimited and why we feel it is important to join and keep this organization moving forward in its goals of cold water fisheries management and preservation.