Headwaters Premier School of Trout

Fly Fishing Lessons for Every Step of Your Journey

Rig Set-up, Fly Selection, Reading Water, Casting & More

Whether you’re starting your Fly Fishing journey, learning a new technique or knocking off the dust, our School of Trout Program, can provide the lesson(s) that you need.

Beginner Class Information

School of Trout- 3 Hour Intro Classes

Interested in fly fishing, but don’t know if it is right for you? Our 101 is the perfect class to get started. This 3-hour class is a combination of instruction and skill development. One will learn the equipment for getting started, including rods and tackle. Our instructors will teach you how to cast a fly rod, and how to use the rod to play and land trout as well as basic rigging instruction. As with all our classes, you will learn about the value of cold water as a resource and how it is protected. Apply what you have learned by reserving a Headwater’s Guide for a future day of fly fishing on a local stream, or upgrade to a full day school of trout to get out on the water the same day as the course.

Cost is $150.00 per person

Available 7 days a week with reservations. 

Private bookings only, just you or your group and your instructor. 

Full Day School of Trout – 8 Hours:

This combines our three-hour classes , with a half-day of guided fly fishing, giving students the ability to apply their newfound angling skills to real-life fishing situations. The cost of this class includes experienced guide, waders, boots, rods and reels. Lunch is not included.

All schools will follow a 2-1 guide to client ratio, in order for our guides to provide the highest level of education and experience.  For groups over 2 anglers, multiple guides are available.

 

Public Water

Full Day SCHOOL ON PUBLIC WATER

$400 One Angler

$600 Two Anglers

Private Water

Full Day SCHOOL ON Private WATER

$475 One Angler

$700 Two Anglers

PUBLIC VS PRIVATE WATER

When choosing a trip, you’ll see private water and public water trips available. The biggest difference is location and setting: on private water trips, you’ll be on private land, fishing sections of the rivers that only our clients fish. That means just your group and the fish on your section of water, no one else around to compete with.

included in trip cost

  • A licensed, knowledgeable fishing guide who can assist you with casting, locating fish, and whatever questions you may have.
  • All necessary fly fishing equipment – Rod, Reel, Fly Line, Leaders, Tippet, Flies

Not Included in Trip Cost

  • A North Carolina Fishing License. You will need an “Inland Fishing License”, available in either a 10 day, or annual option. You can purchase this ahead of time by visiting NCwildlife.org.
  • A ride to and from the water you’ll be fishing. Your guide will set a meeting time and place and plan shuttling, if needed, with you prior to the trip.
  • Lunch, beverages and snacks are not provided.
  • Gratuity for Guide 

    Advanced Fly Fishing Classes

    Hire the Guide

    Patrick Weaver leads the Headwaters Fly Fishing Education Program and has over 30 years of experience in the Fly Fishing Industry. 

    Contact Headwaters Outfitters Education Coordinator and Guide, Patrick Weaver, directly at patrick@headwatersoutfitters.com

    Fly Fishing Foundations

    Fly fishing Foundations is the first class in the series. These are fly fishing lessons designed so you master the foundations, and can then build from there. First, you will learn what the cornerstones are of successful fly angling. Next you will learn proper equipment selection and how to make connections for rigging. You will begin your journey on becoming a fly angler by learning the essential presentation skill of casting. Fly Fishing Foundations is taught with a low student to instructor ratio to maximize your learning experience and the foundation Academy of Trout classes.

    Length- 3-4 hours

    Cost: $40

    Prerequisites Recommended: None, but some fishing experience helpful

    Upcoming Classes: 

    02/01/2025

    02/08/2025

    08/02/2025

    Reading the Water

    Ever wonder why some anglers can catch more trout?  Is it the fly… or is there more to it? The difference in successful fly fishing and missing opportunities hinges on the observation skills of the angler.  The successful angler knows where to stand, when to mend and when to pick up the fly even before the cast is made. Many anglers speak of the importance of presentation and this class is an in-depth look at the art of presenting the fly.  This class will improve your angling by improving your ability to read the water, locate trout and determining the proper presentation. This information will help you discern where trout might hold, what is the best approach, what cast to make and how to react to a trout taking the fly.   Expand your angling skills, learn to be a complete fly angler by learning to understand the trout’s environment.

    Length- 4-5 hours

    Cost: $45

    Prerequisites Recommended: Advanced Casting

    Upcoming Classes: 

    07/21/2024

    03/01/2025

    08/16/2025

    Advanced Angler Tactics

    Successful anglers are versatile and adaptive. Angler Tactics combines all the knowledge and skills from the School of Trout and teaches you how to adapt your tackle, flies and casting to be successful in a variety of conditions.  You will learn how to interpret the trout’s behavior to modify your tactics. The class is an in-depth look at specialized rigging techniques, presentation skills, specialized techniques and strategies for dry fly fishing, nymphing, wet fly fishing, and streamer fishing.   Enhance your fly fishing experience by becoming a versatile and adaptive angler.

    Length- Full Day, 6-8 Hours

    Cost: $75

    Prerequisites Recommended: Advanced Casting and Reading the Water

    Upcoming Classes: 

    04/07/2024

    10/06/2024

    3/15/2025

    09/06/2025

    Advanced Casting:

    Fly fishing for trout is a wonderful way to spend time in a natural setting. Make your experiences more enjoyable by mastering one of the essential skills to presenting a fly, casting. This class will make you a better caster by teaching not just the how, but the why behind casting. First you will learn the concepts of casting as a foundation for later skills. You will master the techniques through a combination of instruction, unique drills and guided practice. Finally, you will learn how to expand your casting with advanced techniques of both casting and line management. This course is taught with a low student to instructor ratio, so you get the most out of the experience.

    Length- 4 Hours

    Cost: $40

    Prerequisites Recommended: Fly Fishing Foundations 

    Upcoming Dates: 

    05/19/2024

    09/07/2024

    03/08/2025

    08/23/2025

    Selecting a Fly

    One of the most common questions is, “What fly do I use?”  This course will teach you how to select a fly to match the situation.  It will present the different types of food sources and which flies match them.  There will also be an in depth look into reading trout behavior to discern which fly and rig to use.  In addition, one will learn how environmental factors influence fly selection.  Finally, one will learn which type of flies to use for various conditions and insects.  

    This class is the fist class of a two part series on trout flies.  The second part is Angler Entomology.  Together, one will learn how to select a fly and the flies to match individual hatches one can expect in WNC.  

    Length- 3-4 Hours

    Cost: $30

    Upcoming Classes: 

    03/16/2024

    09/29/2024

    02/22/2025

    8/30/2025

    Angler Entomology

    This course teaches you how to select a fly to match what the trout are eating. The course will be a combination of classroom and practical field sampling focusing on insect hatches that produce selective feeding. In the classroom, you will learn about the “five seasons” and the active insects during each season.  In addition, you will learn the conditions for each season, when to fish, and what type of water to focus on.  One will also learn about the types of flies for various hatch stages and how to select flies to best match the hatch and how to present them. On the river, you will learn sampling techniques and collecting information to identify hatches.  Each participant will receive a copy of The Hatches of Pisgah Forest for reference.  This class is the second of a two part series.  Although not required, it is recommended that you take Selecting a Fly in conjunction with this class.

    Prerequisites Recommended:  Selecting a Fly

    Length- 4 Hours

    Cost: $60

    Upcoming Classes:

    04/21/2024

    04/05/2025

    frequently Asked Questions

    Whether you’re starting your Fly Fishing journey, learning a new technique or knocking off the dust, our School of Trout can provide the lesson(s) that you need.

    If you are already an angler and been through one of our School of Trout 101, 201 or 301 classes, check out our Advanced Headwaters School of Trout Series.

    • A licensed, knowledgeable fishing guide who can assist you with casting, locating fish, and whatever questions you may have.
    • Fly Fishing equipment- including Waders, Wading Boots, Fly Rod, Reel, and Fly Line

    Rates Do Not Include