Guide School Sample Itinerary - Fins & Feathers - Bozeman Fly Fishing – Fins and Feathers Bozeman
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Fly Fishing Guide School Sample Itinerary

Fly-Fishing Guide School Day 1 – Meet and Greet Evening

  • 30-minute registration/signup and introductions
  • 60-minute presentation

History of Fins & Feathers Guide Service

  • Build on Qualifications/Expertise
  • Outfitter Role Explained
  • Examples of great guides

Getting into Guiding Overview

  • IC/Employee
  • Single Outfitter/Multiple Outfitters
  • Destination Guiding
  • Lodge Guides
  • Seasonality/Year-Round Career Path

What Makes a Great Guide?

  • Discussion
  • Hard work
  • Patience & Listening
  • Focus on the Customer

 

Fly-Fishing Guide School Day 2 - Classroom Session

  • History of Fly Fishing
  • Montana Fly Fishing
  • Bozeman Fly Fishing

Gear Overview (30000 Foot View)

  • Rods
  • Reels
  • Fly Lines
  • Waders
  • Boots
  • Terminal Tackle

Entomology

  • Overview
  • Practical Entomology

Teaching Streamside Entomology

  • Keep it short
  • Explain how the knowledge is applied to fly or rig selection

Casting

  • How to Cast and How to Teach the Cast
  • Teaching the Cast Overview
  • Casting Workshop

 

Fly-Fishing Guide School Day 3 - On the Water

Lower Madison Float

  • Pre-Trip Activities (what does a typical day look like prior to meeting clients)
  • Meet & Greet client techniques
  • Safety Overview and Communicating Pre-Trip Safety with Clients
  • Boat Ramp/Rigging Etiquette
  • Rowing Demonstration/Instruction
  • Reading water from a boat and shore
  • Rigging for the water/situation
  • Meet & Greet client techniques
  • Lunch strategies
  • Assessing the day and discussing the afternoon plan with clients
  • Fishing from the boat and rowing for clients
  • Take out strategies and boat ramp etiquette
  • Wrapping up the day with your clients
  • Evening Activities and a daily roundup

 

Fly-Fishing Guide School Day 4 - On the Water

Gallatin River Wade

  • Pre-Trip Activities (what does a typical day look like prior to meeting clients)
  • Safety Overview and Communicating Pre-Trip Safety with Clients
  • Meet & Greet client techniques
  • Setup activities and strategies
  • Reading water from the shore & teaching clients to read water
  • Rigging Techniques for different water types
  • Lunch strategies
  • Assessing the day and discussing the afternoon plan with clients
  • Afternoon fishing and reading your clients through communication
  • Ending fishing for the day
  • Wrapping up the day with your clients
  • Evening Activities and a daily roundup

Fly-Fishing Guide School Day 5 - Classroom

How to Teach Casting - Detailed?

  • Single Hand and overview of the road to becoming a certified instructor

Specialty Techniques

  • Euro-Nymphing
  • Trout Spey
  • Ubangi Rigs
  • Streamer Fishing

Next Steps towards a guiding career

Where to Start

  • Lodge
  • Destination Fly Shop
  • Independent Outfitter

Resume & Cover Letter

  • Highlight relevant experience
  • “Fishing” experience usually doesn’t always “cut it”
  • References
  • Timing of Application & Making Appointments