Classes & Seminars

Introduction

I have over 40 years of fly fishing, fly tying and fly-fishing guiding experience. I have developed a teaching style that has made me a favorite among my students. I have a degree in fishery biology from Humboldt State University, giving me a unique insight into fly fishing. If I cannot answer your question I know where to find it.

I adapt my teaching methods to the student’s individual needs. I use multiple methods to teach techniques during the classes, seminars and clinics. I start by showing you the technique, then having you perform the technique with and without supervision. I will go over anything that doesn’t make sense until you’re comfortable with the new technique.

Fly Fishing Classes

Six-week beginners fly fishing class:

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Beginning fly fishing is an opportunity to learn to fly fish on Eastern Sierra waters. The six-week fly fishing class is designed for students who can attend class six weeks in a row. Students reap the rewards of five weeks of casting practice and fly fishing on pristine Eastern Sierra trout streams.

This class covers in detail casting, knots, entomology, a balanced fly fishing outfit, proper catch and release techniques, fly pattern selection, fly fishing etiquette, reading moving water, and how to fight a fish. The first week is a three-hour lecture. The next four weeks are 1 ½ hours of casting and 1 ½ hours of lecture. The sixth week is five hours of on-the-water time to hone the skills you’ve learned.

Includes: Use of rod and reel, terminal tackle, all flies used while on the water, ropes for practicing knot tying, a fly fishing beginners hand out, and water

Not included: Valid California fishing license which can be purchased at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Online-Sales, transportation, waders, and rain gear

Gratuities not included, but always appreciated!


Two-and-a-half-day beginners fly fishing class:

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A holistic approach to trout fishing is the essences of fly fishing. This two-and-a-half-day fly fishing class is an intense combination of classroom and hands on experience for students to learn techniques on Eastern Sierra waters. This class covers all the basic information and techniques to become fly fishers.

Class starts the first night with a three-hour lecture on a balanced outfit. The first morning of class we will continue with lectures on knots, fly patterns and leaders. In the mid -morning we will head over to the park for casting lessons. After lunch, we will move to the water to learn how to read the water (where trout live), line control and proper fly presentation. Students will spend the third day on the water refining the skills they have learned.

Includes: Use of rod and reel, terminal tackle, all flies used while on the water, ropes for practicing knot tying, all handouts, Friday night dinner with drinks, Saturday lunch with drinks and dinner with drinks, and Sunday lunch with drinks

Not included: Valid California fishing license which can be purchased at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Online-Sales, transportation, waders, alcoholic drinks and rain gear

Gratuities not included, but always appreciated!


Introduction to fly fishing:

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This half-day, five-hour guide trip is designed for the novice who wants an introduction to fly fishing.  You’ll learn the basic principles of fly fishing including casting, knots, entomology, a balanced fly fishing outfit, proper catch and release techniques, fly pattern selection, fly fishing etiquette, reading moving water, and how to fight a fish. These techniques will be taught at the local park and on a local Eastern Sierra water. Upon completion of this trip, clients will have a basic understanding of fly fishing and have the confidence to practice the techniques they have learned on the waters of the Eastern Sierra.

Includes: Use of rod and reel, terminal tackle, all flies on trip, ropes for practicing knot tying, a fly fishing beginner hand out, and water

Not included: Valid California fishing license which can be purchased at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Online-Sales, transportation, waders, and rain gear

Gratuities not included, but always appreciated!


European nymphing techniques seminar:

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European nymphing is the most successful and productive form of nymphing. This style of fishing takes away the need to stare at an indicator and allows the angler to feel the flies moving through the water and the take of the trout. Students will learn the European nymphing methods that are successful on Eastern Sierra waters.

This full day seminar starts off with a classroom discussion of leader set up, tippet, knots, Czech rod and reels, successful Eastern Sierra Czech fly patterns, how to lead the flies, and entomology. The class will move to the water to learn how to cast, lead the flies, different European methods, proper hook set, where to work the flies, and how to properly play and land a trout.

This style of nymphing has revitalized Fred Rowe’s fly fishing. It’s such a joy to feel the flies and the fish on the end of your leader. Upon completion of this seminar, students will have a firm grasp on European nymphing techniques. Applying these new techniques to Eastern Sierra waters will allow students to be more successful fly fishers.

Includes: Use of Czech outfit, terminal tackle, all flies used while on the water, ropes for practicing knot tying, all handouts, a hand tied Czech leader, three Czech nymphs, and water

Not included: Valid California fishing license which can be purchased at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Online-Sales, transportation, waders, and rain gear

Gratuities not included, but always appreciated!


Fly Tying and Entomology Classes:

Five-week beginners fly tying class:

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Beginning fly tying is an opportunity to learn to tie proven Eastern Sierra dry flies. Students will build upon their skills with each fly they tie in class. The techniques taught in class are the foundation for tying any fly pattern.

Fred Rowe teaches the basic principles of fly tying through popular Eastern Sierra dry fly patterns so students will never feel intimidated to tie dry flies. Students will learn to tie hackle tails, hair tails, dubbed bodies, segmented bodies, quill bodies, herl bodies, hackle tip wings, feathered wings, hair wings, post wings, standard hackle, palmered hackle and parachute hackle. Each fly pattern will be demonstrated before students tie the fly. Students will have enough time in class to tie at least one of each fly taught.

By the end of class, students will have learned the basic fly tying principals for a variety of dry flies, nymphs, wets and streamers. This class combines the entomology of aquatic insects and the basic principles of fly tying to allow students to tie flies that will match the invertebrates that Eastern Sierra trout feed on. Catching fish on flies that you tied is the culmination of this beginners fly tying class.

Includes: All instruction, use of fly tying materials and tools in class and handouts.

Not included: Materials and tools to tie flies out of class (first class will advise students on proper tools and materials to buy for personal use), lights and magnifiers


Fly tying and entomology seminar:

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Matching the hatch is the cornerstone to successful fly fishing. This seminar will demystify the relationship between what the fish feeds on and how to tie a fly to imitate these food sources.

The morning will start out with time spent on the water to determine what the fish are feeding on by collecting aquatic insects from the stream, riparian vegetation and fish stomach samples. Then the class will move indoors to identify the aquatic invertebrates that were collected to taxonomic order, and tie fly patterns to imitate these invertebrates. The class will return to the water to try out the newly tied flies to fool the wary wild trout that call the Eastern Sierra home.

This seminar is the opportunity to put together entomology and fly tying to become a successful Eastern Sierra fly fisher. Identifying aquatic insects and properly tying or selecting flies that imitate them to allow the fly fisher to catch more Eastern Sierra trout is the goal of this seminar.

Due to the advance nature of this class, participants need a basic understanding of fly casting and must be able to tie basic dry flies, and nymphs. Please contact the instructor if you are unsure of your skill level.

Includes: Use of rod and reel, terminal tackle, use of fly-tying materials and tools in seminar, all handouts, use of insect collecting nets, lunch, and water.

Not included: Valid California fishing license which can be purchased at www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Online-Sales, transportation, waders, and rain gear.
Gratuities not included, but always appreciated!