Ever Wondered Why Fly Fishing Feels Like Magic? Let’s Break It Down

Okay, real talk—you could spend years figuring out fly fishing on your own, bumbling through bad casts and tangled lines (trust me, I’ve been there). Or, you know, you could cheat a little and learn from someone who’s already made all the mistakes for you. That’s where a good instructor comes in. Not just to teach you how to fling a fly, but to help you get the water, the fish, the whole dance of it.

Here’s the thing: casting isn’t just one motion. It’s like… well, sort of like trying to flick wet spaghetti without it snapping. Sometimes you’re rolling, sometimes you’re overhead, sometimes you’re doing this weird sidearm thing because the wind’s being a jerk. A 1-day crash course can get you started, but if you’re serious, stretch it to 5 days. We’ll hit rivers, reservoirs—whatever’s biting.

Oh, and about those instructors—yeah, you’ll be learning the same stuff we teach the pros. Jan Astier? Yeah, that Jan Astier. French team coach, the guy who basically wrote the book on linear casting (broken into 6 levels, because why make it simple?). Funny story—last spring on the Sélune, his method saved my butt when a monster brown trout decided my fly looked just suspicious enough to follow but not eat. Three hours. Three. Hours.
Your Gear, Your Rules

Workshops aren’t one-size-fits-all. Bring your rod, and we’ll tweak your casting to match its action—stiff, whippy, whatever. Leaders? (That’s the clear fishing line part, for newbies.) We’ll nerd out over taper and length based on what you’re throwing. Controversial opinion: Fluorocarbon’s overrated for dry flies. Fight me.
Fish We’ll Chase (And Maybe Outsmart)

Brown trout—clever little devils, especially in tight streams. Rainbow trout? Showboats. They’ll slam your fly like they’re auditioning for ESPN. And chub… okay, they’re not glamorous, but on a light rod? Pure fun. Yoann Esquis (yeah, he’s a wizard with these species) once showed me how to work a size 18 midge for chub in stupid-clear water. Shouldn’t have worked. Did anyway.

The Part Where I Ramble About Weather
Ever notice how fish turn picky when the barometer drops? Or how your perfect cast goes to hell the second you’re filming it? Yeah. We’ll cover that too.
Anyway, that’s the gist. Got questions? War stories of your own? Hit me up. Maybe I’ll tell you about the time I hooked a beaver. (Spoiler: not recommended.)