Have you always wanted to learn fly fishing but didn’t know where to begin? I hear it from people on what seems like a daily basis when they find out I’m a fly fishing guide. It goes something like “I’ve always wanted to try that, but it looks so hard.”

I’ll admit, fly fishing isn’t an easy sport to take up… if you try doing it on your own that is. If you’re serious about giving fly fishing a try, the best investment you can make before buying any equipment is to get some instruction from a seasoned professional. A few hours of on stream instruction before spending your hard earned money on costly rods, reels, lines, flies, etc. will most likely save you from buying the wrong gear and learning improper casting techniques, which could actually make fishing more frustrating than fun.

I offer half or full-day on stream instruction floats on Michigan’s Muskegon River where we focus on proper casting form, equipment selection, basic knots, practical entomology & fly selection, as well as strategies for catching trout.

These trips are focused on instruction, not fish catching. Although you may catch fish, fly fishing for trout is a game of skill much more than luck and you should go into one of my instruction floats with learning as the main goal. I offer these trips “On Stream” because it gets you in the environment where fly fishing will take you, and you will gain more appreciation for fly fishing in the trout world than learning in an open field or backyard.

Half day trips are recommended for those who desire a taste of what fly fishing is about, but are unsure if a full day of learning the sport may be too much to swallow.
Full day trips are much more informative, given the extra time and are recommended for those who are pretty sure fly fishing is something that would interest them. Full day trips also include a grilled steak lunch or dinner on stream.

As an added bonus to my students, Mel Krieger has agreed to extend a generous discount to me on his dvd titled "Beginnings". Thanks to his generosity, I am able to include a copy of this dvd in the price of the instruction trip. Mel is a world renowned casting instructor and his dvd will be a great way to review the basics of fly fishing that we will cover on your instruction trip.

If an instruction trip sounds like your ticket into the world of fly fishing, please call or email me today to schedule your trip. As with my other trips, a $100 non-refundable deposit is required. All gear is included and waders aren't necessary as we will be fishing from the boat at all times. You will need a Michigan all species fishing license.

Half day trips run 4-5 hours $250
Full day trips run 8-9 hours $370

Prices are for one or two students.