Women’s Fly Fishing | Educational Program

Women’s Fly Fishing | Educational Program

Hike Overview Continued

Mike Carpenter, Fly Fishers International Certified Casting Instructor

Sandra Carpenter, Vice Chair, Fly Fishers International Women Connect

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. We will also spend some time talking about the fly-fishing communities that women have established to help them in their fly fishing journey. 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 in the Glacier National Park.

Meeting Place: Glacier Institute 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. Brief Orientation.

9:15: 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? Exploration of Big Creek will lead to the understanding of basic principles of where the 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 and Discussions about Women oriented fly-fishing communities: The participants will get a chance to hear about women-based fly-fishing organizations in the Glacier region and throughout the United States. Get connected and get involved in the women’s fly fishing communities.

1:30 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. Students will then have the opportunity to independently spread out and use what we learned in the morning to better their craft. Students 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. Prepare for all weather.

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