Sure, you can watch a video, read a book or learn on your own. But nothing beats live instruction and hands-on practice under the watchful eyes of experienced instructors. Your learning curve will be much steeper and you’ll be so much happier with progress measured in hours and days instead of years.
Fly Casting
Fly Casting is the Club’s most popular class and is the ideal starting point for becoming an accomplished fly angler. FFF Master and Certified Instructors, a lighted casting pond and years of teaching experience gives the class a well-deserved reputation for excellence. The first meeting is in the classroom with explanations of basic equipment. The remaining four weeks of instruction are devoted to casting at the pond. Expect lots of individual attention as you learn the pickup and laydown, false cast, roll cast and get introduced to mending. Even veteran casters improve their skills by perfecting the basics. Classes are free and open to the public. No pre-reservation is needed, just show up at the clubhouse on March 8, 2022, by 7:00 pm. Beginning casting is a prerequisite for the members-only On-The-River Clinic.
Beginning Fly Tying
Beginning Fly Tying teaches the techniques for tying the most popular flies for cold-water, warm-water and salt-water fishing. This 17-week class begins with a simple two-material (thread and a feather) pattern to teach thread control and whip finishing, and proceeds to more advanced techniques like dubbed bodies, hackles and parachute wings. You’ll also learn about material selection. By the end of the class, you’ll be able to examine almost any fly and determine the materials and techniques so that you can tie a duplicate. You’ll tie nymphs, streamers and dry flies for your fly box. The class starts in October and runs for a total of 17 weeks. You do not have to be a club member to take the class. No pre-reservation required; just show up. You pay only for materials and a work book. There is a satisfying thrill in making a catch on flies you’ve tied yourself.
Rod Building
Rod Building is a must for enthusiasts who want a custom-made fishing rod—without the labor costs. You pick your rod type, length, action, hardware and colors. Instructors guide you step-by-step, from picking components, assembly, wrapping and the final epoxy coating of the thread wraps. The class is not limited to fly rods; you can build any type of rod you like. The class is free to the public. You pay only for the components and a small fee for a Rod Building Manual. Classes begin in August and runs to mid-October.
knot Tying
Knot Tying is often overlooked and underrated, until you lose a big fish and you see the telltale curly pigtail at the end of your line. Monofilament lines are hard enough to master; slick fluorocarbons are even more worrisome. But the knot problem is simple. Attend a knot tying class at the club. You’ll receive clear instruction from an expert, plenty of materials to work with and helpers to guide you step-by-step. With a little practice you won’t dread the stream-side knot tying process and those dreadful curly pigtails will disappear.
Spey Casting
Spey Casting lessons are offered twice a year and are designed to help beginners get started as well as enhance the performance of practicing spey casters. Spey is used for fishing large rivers for salmon and large trout such as steelhead. The technique is also used in saltwater surf fishing where conditions require the angler to cast larger or weighted flies long distances. The two-handed Spey technique allows more powerful casts and avoids obstacles behind the angler by keeping most of the line in front of the angler. The classes are offered twice a year on Saturday mornings. They run for two hours each and are free to the public.
Tenkara
Tenkara fly fishing is a growing style of fly fishing in the U.S. and has recently made it into the fly-fishing professional guiding industry. Tenkara is a streamlined counterpart to western fly fishing using only a telescoping rod, a short line (no reel is used) and a fly.
One appeal of tenkara is simplicity, but the lengthy rods also allow for a long reach and precise placement of the fly. The telescoping rods and delicate presentation make the technique ideal for backpackers. The Club typically hosts one or two tenkara workshops each year and 2 or 3 outings.
Fast-Learn
Fly Fishing Trips
The fastest way to learn is by doing. Our teaching season begins with January, February and March trips to the Lower Owens River near Bishop, CA. Pre-trip meetings at the clubhouse introduce you to equipment, flies and techniques, and at the river, you can get linked up with veteran anglers who know the river and enjoy sharing their knowledge.
In July we hold our annual Brookie Bash which is named for Brook Trout. That trip is special because “Brookies are made for Rookies.” It’s a scenic venue, with small streams, cooperative fish and willing helpers. It’s also an opportunity to catch a Sierra Slam — a brook, brown, rainbow and golden trout in one trip. Perhaps the granddaddy of all learning opportunities is the annual On-The-River Clinic which combines two fun-filled fishing/learning days with years of experience and knowledge. It literally makes you a better angler overnight. In two parts, a classroom and a river outing, you’ll gain knowledge that would take years to learn on your own. You’ll learn about rods, reels, line tippets, knots, and other equipment, fly selections and stream-side strategies.
You’ll see demonstrations of dry fly, nymphing, streamer fishing, spotting and stalking trout and more. You’ll also find and identify insects at various stages of their life cycles, learn safe wading techniques and how to read the water so you’ll know how to fish any flowing water. Taught by a past president, FFF Master Casting Instructor and mem- ber of the FFF board of governors, Joe Libeu, the pro- gram concludes with a weekend of on-the-river fishing under the careful coaching and supervision of a hand-picked cadre of skilled fisherman/instructors form LBCC. If you want to learn what fly fishing is all about, this is the class for you. In order to qualify for this class which is limited to 20 students, you must be a LBCC member and have mastered basic fly- casting skills. The trip is typically in the Fall, but dates vary according to water conditions in the Sierras.
