Texas Transplant
Well-Known Member
Okay, wife and I returned this past weekend from our vacation to the Ozarks. It included a 2 Day Orvis Fly Fishing school at Dogwood Canyon (water feeds into Table Rock lake). First a report on Dogwood Canyon.
It's owned by a foundation now, but is/was owned by Johnny Morris (aka Mr. Bass Pro). It sustained a fair amount of damage from Hurricane Ike when it came through. Wiped out several of the bridges in the park; relocated much of the rock into the trout streams, and caused quite a bit of downed trees. Therefore, the second day we were there, they announced that they would close the park to all activitiy for the remainder of the year/season - they may open it for their Christmas activities, but that is to be determined. So, if you want to go fishing for trout there, wait till next year.
The class was great. Two instuctors. Lot's of classroom activities, and a fair amount of time getting used to a fly rod/outfit (with no fly attached). Learned the basic roll cast, along with standard casting; false casting; shooting line. Hardest thing was to get over the learned 'bass fishing actions', and let the rod do the work.
We also got into the 'technology' of fly fishing (hooks, line size, matching tackle, etc.). Very good. During our 'on the water practice, it also included video filming and critique of each of our casting. Class was seven people, my wife being the only female in the group. She loved it (the school).
Second day was stream entemology (sp); another review of false casting and 'the double haul' (not much time spent on that). We each also tried a heavier rod (8 weight), used for bigger fish (including bass).
The afternoon was spent (about 2 1/2 hours) actually fishing the streams of the park. We got more instruction on actually rigging out line, leader, fly, etc. Then fishing.
While I did get two bites (lost one due to standard - 'bass fishing setting of the hook'), I did catch about a 1 1/2 lb Rainbow and get it landed and into the net. It was on a dry fly. However, the head instructor came by and gave me the news. . . . .
My wife caught a BIG rainbow that the instructor estimated to be around 8 to 8 1/2 lbs. Huge fish. After about 4 big runs, he managed to break off - so no pictures. She is hooked on fly fishing, and really enjoys it.
During my 'evaluation', I recommended that the class be expanded to 3 days, and allow more time on the water actually fishing, so that you can 'put it together'.
If you would like to learn to fly fish, I highly recommend the Orvis school(s). We got our money's worth out of it. After I upload the pic's, I'll add a few to the library and post them.
Tex
It's owned by a foundation now, but is/was owned by Johnny Morris (aka Mr. Bass Pro). It sustained a fair amount of damage from Hurricane Ike when it came through. Wiped out several of the bridges in the park; relocated much of the rock into the trout streams, and caused quite a bit of downed trees. Therefore, the second day we were there, they announced that they would close the park to all activitiy for the remainder of the year/season - they may open it for their Christmas activities, but that is to be determined. So, if you want to go fishing for trout there, wait till next year.
The class was great. Two instuctors. Lot's of classroom activities, and a fair amount of time getting used to a fly rod/outfit (with no fly attached). Learned the basic roll cast, along with standard casting; false casting; shooting line. Hardest thing was to get over the learned 'bass fishing actions', and let the rod do the work.
We also got into the 'technology' of fly fishing (hooks, line size, matching tackle, etc.). Very good. During our 'on the water practice, it also included video filming and critique of each of our casting. Class was seven people, my wife being the only female in the group. She loved it (the school).
Second day was stream entemology (sp); another review of false casting and 'the double haul' (not much time spent on that). We each also tried a heavier rod (8 weight), used for bigger fish (including bass).
The afternoon was spent (about 2 1/2 hours) actually fishing the streams of the park. We got more instruction on actually rigging out line, leader, fly, etc. Then fishing.
While I did get two bites (lost one due to standard - 'bass fishing setting of the hook'), I did catch about a 1 1/2 lb Rainbow and get it landed and into the net. It was on a dry fly. However, the head instructor came by and gave me the news. . . . .
My wife caught a BIG rainbow that the instructor estimated to be around 8 to 8 1/2 lbs. Huge fish. After about 4 big runs, he managed to break off - so no pictures. She is hooked on fly fishing, and really enjoys it.
During my 'evaluation', I recommended that the class be expanded to 3 days, and allow more time on the water actually fishing, so that you can 'put it together'.
If you would like to learn to fly fish, I highly recommend the Orvis school(s). We got our money's worth out of it. After I upload the pic's, I'll add a few to the library and post them.
Tex
