Olympic Fly Fishers offer beginners fly fishing class March 23, 2024

Fly fishing. Stock photo

Beginners Fly Fishing Class Saturday March 23, 2024 from 9:00am to 1:00pm at the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center, 18560 1st Ave. NE, Shoreline WA 98155, southernmost building on the Shoreline Center campus. Free parking.

Cost: $30 per adult (each registered adult may also bring ONE young fisher, ages 12 to 17, FREE)

Register today by calling the center at 206-365-1536, or online here

Discover the essential components of fly fishing with our Beginners Fly Fishing Class. Seasoned experts from the Olympic Fly Fishers of Edmonds will guide you through core basics – kickstarting your success for a variety of water, weather, and safety conditions.

Whether you're a complete novice or looking to supplement your skills, this class equips you with the foundational knowledge to pursue the sport quickly, easily, and without spending money where you don’t have to.

Master the intricacies of gear. Perfect essential knots. Unravel the secrets of entomology. And gain a deeper understanding of how conservation affects our fisheries, now and for future generations.

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Hour 1: Equipment with Ed Kellison, OFF Conservation Chair

Learn about the basic equipment required for fly fishing, including fly rods, reels, waders, boats, and float tubes.

• Understanding Rods and Reels: Get insights into the different types of fly rods and reels, their components, and how to choose the right ones for your needs.
• Waders Essentials: Discover the significance of waders in fly fishing, how to choose the right waders, boots, and belt for different environments, and their proper maintenance.
• Boats and Float Tubes: Understand the use of boats and float tubes in fly fishing, including their advantages, types, and considerations for different fishing scenarios.

Hour 2: Entomology with Gregg Sisson, OFF President

Delve into the world of aquatic insects and understand their significance.

• Identification: Learn how to identify key insects that fish commonly feed on and choose flies that imitate them effectively.
• Matching the Hatch: Discover the concept of "matching the hatch" and its importance in successful fly fishing.
• This section will cover the following insects: midges (bloodworms and chironomids), damselflies, dragonflies, leeches, scuds, and mayflies.

Hour 3: Lines, Leads, and Knots with John Wendt, OFF Education Chair

Explore the different types of fly lines, their weights, and how to choose the right setup for different fishing situations.

• Line Setup: Understand how the line affects the ease and accuracy of casting and presentation.
• Leaders and Tippets: Learn about leaders and tippets, their roles in fly fishing, and how to properly set up your tackle.
• Essential Knots: Master fundamental knots used in fly fishing, including the improved clinch knot, surgeon's knot, and nail knot.

NOTE: there will be a short 15-minute break after Hours 1 and 2.