The Complete Fly Fisher
Our Philosophy
Any course of instruction in fly fishing has to be in harmony with the angler and the conditions. It is easy to stop on the banks and rework an aspect of casting or to pick a part a stretch of river or get a look at the aquatic insects crawling along the rocks. You have to take time out to see what beautiful country you are in. An eagle can interrupt the fishing focus. A windy afternoon will dictate more attention to learning proper casting techniques than to hunting sippers. Afternoon thunder bumpers will turn the fishing on and off, giving you a chance to hone in on catching and learning at the appropriate times. Hopefully, you will begin to get a sense of the rhythms of fly fishing. Each angler is treated to their own journey. What happens for one angler on day 2 might not happen till day 5 for another. As instructors we try to give the learner what they need when they need it. Most people will get the hang of it and take away enough skills to go fishing on there own, after a five day stay at the CFF, but don't be mislead. To learn to fly fish is not easy. We teach an intensive course and take people as far as they can go, yet remain sensitive to peoples needs.
To be good you have to gain skills and knowledge. Repetition and a guiding hand will attend to the skills. While repetition of information will help, there is a gestalt that builds with familiarity. It comes from time spent and from an openness to the world that the trout inhabit. This awareness is the hardest thing to teach. All that we can do as an instructors is to show you the mind set and examples. You have to drink the water yourself.
We bring people to the trough of fly fishing. Fly fishing is endlessly diverting and profound. We know of no other sporting activity that takes someone so far away from the concerns of life. We know of no other activity that sublimates someone into the realm of nature more readily. When you are truly angling you leave some of your humanness behind and are a part of the landscape that the trout inhabit. To catch a trout on a fly requires that you perform to the fishes expectation. No amount of money will buy that wild trout on the end of you line, only skill and the grace of God. In the years of fly fishing we have learned a few things that color our whole existence. Knowledge of what we can and cannot control and the need to pay attention. If anyone that we fish with gets a sense of these two things they will learn to fly fish and they might take home a much greater gift.
The reason that we would suggest our school over most of the schools that we aware of stems from the direction in which we came to be teachers of fly fishing. We came to it from a love of fly fishing and a desire to share it with others and to live in the Big Hole valley. Others, such as Orvis, came to teach fly fishing schools as a means to selling tackle. It is not as though we do not make a living at it but that our intent is to show you how to have rivers seep into your soul rather than fill your closet with gear. Further, in our setting you will be in contact with anglers of many skill levels during your week. The camaraderie around the dinner table is a great way to be introduced to the sport. At the CFF we add the attraction of a river filled with wild trout, great food, and gorgeous scenery.
We have taught hundreds of men and women to fly fish over the years, many of them couples, many of them women; 75% of our business is couples. The guiding staff have tremendous amounts of time angling, teaching, and in our employ. The average number of years that each guide has guided for us is 7 years. They all served apprenticeships thus, are taught before they teach. If you have any questions please call us at 406-832-3175.