Fly fishing school

My family (me, my wife and our son) really wants to get into fly
fishing this spring so we have been looking at schools. I would like
to get some opinions and/or recommendations regarding these schools as
my son is only 10. I'd like to make sure that he gets as much out of
it as he can.

We live just outside of Albany, NY and have been looking at the Orvis
school in Manchester, VT.

Thanks,
Pat

snyderslake wrote:
My family (me, my wife and our son) really wants to get into fly
fishing this spring so we have been looking at schools. I would like
to get some opinions and/or recommendations regarding these schools as
my son is only 10. I'd like to make sure that he gets as much out of
it as he can.

We live just outside of Albany, NY and have been looking at the Orvis
school in Manchester, VT.

That's a heck of an investment at $400+ per person plus room and board.
How do you know you'll like fly fishing? You didn't watch "the" movie,
did you? ;-)
--
TL,
Tim
---------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj/

We live on Snyders Lake in Rensselaer County and we fish all year
round. This is just another type that we want to try. We are really
interested in fishing the streams and creeks up in the Adirondacks.

We figured it would be better to learn from experts instead of the
trial, error and frustration that I have heard about (including my own
experience).

"snyderslake" wrote in message
oups.com...
...We figured it would be better to learn from experts instead of the
trial, error and frustration that I have heard about (including my own
experience).

It's hard to say what will work for someone else. Hell, most of us don't
know what will work for ourselves till we give it a try. One thing is
certain, though.....there WILL be a certain amount of frustration, with or
without professional training. If the Orvis school is within your budget
and it's something you want to do, then go for it. But you should be aware
that the vast majority of fly fishers.....including many of the
best.....learned without that sort of guidance. There are some skills to
learn that don't come very easily or very quickly to most, to be
sure.....but it ain't rocket science.

You should also be aware that there are numerous fly fishing organizations
around with many members who will be happy to provide guidance and coaching.

Whichever way you go, good luck.

Wolfgang

snyderslake wrote:

We figured it would be better to learn from experts instead of the
trial, error and frustration that I have heard about (including my own
experience).

You'll get more out of it if you prepare yourself. It's easy to learn
the basic gear, the basic knots, the basics of casting, the basics of
how to read the water, etc. “Chance favors the prepared mind.” Louis
Pasteur

I don't know what approach this Orvis School takes (the very concept
gives me the creeps, to be honest), but what you DON'T want is a typical
guide, whose mission is to get you into fish no matter what.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

snyderslake wrote:
We live on Snyders Lake in Rensselaer County and we fish all year
round. This is just another type that we want to try. We are really
interested in fishing the streams and creeks up in the Adirondacks.

That area is beautiful.

We figured it would be better to learn from experts instead of the
trial, error and frustration that I have heard about (including my own
experience).

Based on my own experience, you're probably right. ;-) Check to see if
there's an active FFF or TU chapter in your area and go to a few
meetings. There are a lot of folks in those orgs that are glad to help.
Also, FWIW, there's nothing wrong with the Orvis school from what I've
heard and seen, but it's rather pricey.
--
TL,
Tim
---------------------------
http://css.sbcma.com/timj/

On 28 Jan 2006 18:17:22 -0800, "snyderslake"
wrote:

My family (me, my wife and our son) really wants to get into fly
fishing this spring so we have been looking at schools. I would like
to get some opinions and/or recommendations regarding these schools as
my son is only 10. I'd like to make sure that he gets as much out of
it as he can.

We live just outside of Albany, NY and have been looking at the Orvis
school in Manchester, VT.

Thanks,
Pat

I took a 25 year hiatus from flyfishing. When I finally came back,
everything had changed - rods, lines, leaders, even flies. After a
couple of outing to a river in Maine and several here in
Massachusetts, I decided to take the Orvis school. That was 20 years
ago.

Don't know about now, but back then it was a pretty good school. It
taught the basics, and you had a lot of practice with knots and
casting different rods. The instructor to student ratio was small, so
you had lots of help. I believe it was a 3 day school - can't
remember exactly. I do remember, however, catching fish in the
Batenkill on private water, and catching fish in the practice ponds
behind the store. The fish were easy to catch - nothing challenging -
but it gave the newbies a feel for how to set the hook and fight and
land the fish.

I taught my two oldest grandsons (now 22 and 21) how to flyfish when
they were 13 and 14. The best advice I can give you is to make it fun
for your boy and ensure he catches something. Most ten year old will
lose interest in the sport unless they can see some kind of success.

If you go to the Manchester school, stay at the Equinox. Expensive
but wonderful service and food.

BTW, LL Bean has a school in Freeport, Maine. Less expensive than the
Orvis school.

Dave

"snyderslake" wrote in message
oups.com...
My family (me, my wife and our son) really wants to get into fly
fishing this spring so we have been looking at schools. I would like
to get some opinions and/or recommendations regarding these schools as
my son is only 10. I'd like to make sure that he gets as much out of
it as he can.

We live just outside of Albany, NY and have been looking at the Orvis
school in Manchester, VT.

Are you aware that Orvis also runs a school in NY state?

Orvis is one of those companies people either love or they hate, rarely is
there an in between. An alternative school in NY is run by the widow of one
of fly fishing's great *Names* and a terrific fly fisher in her own right
Joan Wulff. I think her school costs a little more than the Orvis school but
her website is: http://www.royalwulff.com/schools.html

Have fun, I'm sure you'll learn a lot whatever path you take.

"snyderslake" wrote in
oups.com:

My family (me, my wife and our son) really wants to get into
fly
fishing this spring so we have been looking at schools. I
would
like to get some opinions and/or recommendations regarding
these
schools as my son is only 10. I'd like to make sure that he
gets
as much out of it as he can.

We live just outside of Albany, NY and have been looking at
the
Orvis school in Manchester, VT.

Thanks,
Pat


http://www.marlablair.com/

This is taken from her web site:

Choose from the FARMINGTON, DEERFIELD, SWIFT,
WESTFIELD RIVERS IN MASSACHUSETTS &
THE FARMINGTON RIVER IN CONNECTICUT

GROUP: PER PERSON - $150.00

Please - No kids under age 13
7:00 am to 4:00 pm

Children's classes: PER KID - $120.00
9:00am to 2:00pm
Ages 6 - 11

Parents must be present for kids ages 6 - 8


rt

"snyderslake" wrote in
oups.com:

My family (me, my wife and our son) really wants to get into
fly
fishing this spring so we have been looking at schools. I
would
like to get some opinions and/or recommendations regarding
these
schools as my son is only 10. I'd like to make sure that he
gets
as much out of it as he can.

We live just outside of Albany, NY and have been looking at
the
Orvis school in Manchester, VT.

Thanks,
Pat


Check out the testimonials.

http://www.marlablair.com/testimonials.html


She has a sense of humor. I remember her kidding a friend of
mine who was fishing the upper C&R water of the Farmington TMA,
advising him of the requirement to release without avoidable
injury all trees that were hooked on his backcast.

rt