Fly Fishing for Beginners Educational Program

Fish the scenic banks of the North Fork of the Flathead River

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Distance

1 Miles

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Elevation Gain

100 Feet

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Difficulty

Easy

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Cost Per Person

$125

Progam Overview

Multiple: Of the outdoor sports, fly fishing is arguably the most poetic. Over the past century, Montana’s blue ribbon trout streams have lured in explorers from all over the world. From beginners to active anglers, we invite you to come and increase your skills in this friendly learning environment. Participants will spend the morning learning stream ecology and casting technique. The afternoon will be spent applying your new skills into practice on the wild and scenic banks of the North Fork of the Flathead River.

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Fly Fishing for Beginners Educational Program

Hike Overview Continued

Mike Carpenter, Fly Fishers International Certified Casting Instructor

Of the outdoor sports, fly fishing is arguably the most poetic. Over the past century, Montana’s blue ribbon trout streams have lured in explorers from all over the world. From beginners to experienced anglers, we invite you to come and increase your skills in this friendly learning environment. Participants will spend the morning learning stream ecology and casting technique. The afternoon will be spent applying your new skills by practicing in the wild on the scenic banks of the North Fork of the Flathead River in the Glacier National Park.

Meeting Place: Big Creek Outdoor Education Center

Itinerary: (subject to change due to trail closures and weather)

9:00: Welcome: Meet at Glacier Institute Big Creek Outdoor Education Center. There will be a brief orientation at 9:15 focusing on rods, reels, lines, knots, and flies: We will discuss equipment, assembly how-to, break-down, and general maintenance & care.

10:15: Where are the fish are and what are they eating? An exploration of Big Creek will lead to an understanding of basic principles of where fish hide and what they eat. We will discuss aquatic invertebrates and how they relate to the flies we use.

11:00: Casting: Students will learn the correct methods of casting. We will then practice in an open field before adventuring onwards to the river.

12:45: Lunch:

1:15: To the River:We will meet down at the river. We will go through proper safety procedures and spend a few minutes discussing stream flows, establishing a drag free drift, fish hooking, fighting, and safely releasing our catch. You will then have the opportunity to independently spread out and use what was learned in the morning to better your craft. You will then spend the rest of the afternoon applying lessons learned. 4:00 Dismissal.

Food: Please bring a sack lunch, plenty of water and snacks for the day.

Equipment: All participants should bring some sort of protective eyewear for the class. Polarized sunglasses are ideal. The Glacier Institute has fly fishing gear available if you do not have your own. You will need to bring shoes you can get wet. We will not use rubber hip boots. Old sneakers will work fine. Please prepare for all weather.

Physical Requirements: Students should be able to walk over loose rocks along the riverbanks.

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What to Expect On Your Fly Fishing for Beginners | Day Camp

We will begin with learning about the basics of fly fishing. The afternoon will be set on the river practicing our casting. The walking will be on loose rocks along the river banks.

Program Details

  • This program meets at Glacier Institute Big Creek Outdoor Education Center.
  • Instructor: Mike Carpenter, Fly Fishers International Certified Casting Instructor.
  • The program will begin 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Please arrive 15 minutes early.
  • Hiking distance covers less than 1 miles with less than 100 feet elevation change.
  • On-site parking available.
  • There is a maximum number of 13
  • This program has a minimum guest count of 3 people. In the unlikely case we don’t reach that number, you will be notified prior to the event.

The Glacier Institute has a 7 day cancellation policy for a full refund with all of our courses.

What to Bring

Please remember that weather in NW Montana during all seasons can change quickly from warm and sunny to freezing at any time of the year. We recommend checking the weather prior to your trip. Please also check your course information sheet for specific gear requirements in addition to those listed below.

  • Lightweight hiking boots or a sturdy pair of hiking shoes
  • 2 liter sized water bottle or Camelback
  • Day Pack with plastic bag liner or cover
  • Waterproof rain jacket and pants
  • Sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellant & lip balm
  • Camera (optional)
  • Trekking poles, if you like to use them for hiking (optional)
  • Binoculars (optional)
  • Field Notebook notes and sketches

Download complete checklist here