Quality Instruction since 1997

LEARN TO FLY FISH IN COLDWATER, WARMWATER, OR SALTWATER

There are no magic flies. Just magic presentations.

A fly is merely a “representation” of a potential food source based on its size, shape, color, and behavior.

Your presentation determines whether the fish will eat the fly, or not.

Skills that last a Lifetime!

Located near Lake Sidney Lanier serving North GA & the Greater Atlanta area. 

We offer Fly Fishing School classes for beginners through advanced fly anglers, Single Hand or Two-Hand Spey Casting, and Guided North Georgia Fly Fishing trips for trout.

Locally, you can pursue North GA Trout, Shoal Bass, Carp, KY Spotted Bass, and Stripers with a fly rod.

Destination species include: Trout, Steelhead, Smallmouth Bass, Salmon, Landlocked Atlantic Salmon, and multiple saltwater species.

Classes are also offered in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York during the Spring (April/May timeframe); and, two months during the Summer.

Ken Louko

Owner & Instructor

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                       FLY FISHING SCHOOL

Dramatically reduce your Learning Curve

Reduce your learning curve by 2 to 3 years… Guaranteed!

Be sure to visit the “Fly Fishing Schools” page for Rates

1.  Basic Skills - 2 Hour Introductory Class

Getting Started in Fly Fishing without getting your feet wet!

> For those who want just the fundamentals to get started

> Framework for successful fly fishing

> Differences between coldwater, warmwater, and saltwater fly fishing

> Offered individually (or on discounted group rate dates starting in the Fall)

> Learn to cast a Single Hand fly rod

> How to outfit yourself for fly fishing

> Fly rod setup: Fly rod choices, Leaders, Tippet, and Flies

2. Basic Skills -  Two 4 Hour Classes (Trout Focus)

“Fly casting skills enable successful fly presentations.”

> For those who want solid Traditional Method fundamentals to get started

> Framework for successful fly fishing in coldwater, warmwater, and saltwater

> Learn to cast a Single Hand fly rod, determine leader and tippet lengths, tie essential leader and tippet knots, and what flies to use — and when.

> Tips on making the right fly line, leader, tippet, and even fly rod choices

> How to outfit yourself for trout fishing

> Comparison of the Traditional Method vs Euro Nymphing Method of fly fishing for trout

> Get ready to fish any trout stream anywhere in the world

3. Full Day School (Trout Focus)

“You can not make great fly presentations without being able to cast.”

“Adding a few Single Hand Spey techniques to your casting arsenal will significantly up your on-water Trout or Smallmouth game.”

> For those who want to master the "Five Casting Essentials"

> Framework for successful fly fishing in coldwater, warmwater, and saltwater

> Single Hand rod or Trout Spey

> Casting, essential knots, leader set up, and what flies to use — and when.

> Reading the water for more intelligent fly presentations whether on a mountain stream or larger river

> On-water presentation “skills building” while fishing with dry flies, nymphs, and streamers in the afternoon session

4. Striper School (Lake Lanier Stripers)

> Learn how and when to fly fish for Lake Lanier Stripers

> Four to 8 Hour Classes

> Framework for successful fly fishing

> Distance Casting instruction (optional, if necessary)

> Learn using 8 or 9 weight Single Hand Rods

> Fishing for Stripers requires focus on depth, speed, and fly behavior

> Flies, flies, and flies… yup, they are important!

> Tips on reading lake structure

> Importance of monitoring both lake water temperatures and current weather conditions

> Advice on fly line options throughout Georgia’s Striper season

> Tips on where to fish for Stripers on Lake Lanier

5. Casting Instruction (Single Hand)

All of the essential Single-Dimension Casts; or,

Advanced Multi-Dimension Casting

> For Single Hand Rod users who are interested in casting only

> All the most useful Traditional Fly Fishing casts

> Multi-Dimension casting for advanced casters — and fly presentations

6. Spey Casting Instruction (Single Hand or Two Hand)         

      From Trout > to Northwest Steelhead

      LEVEL 1    Single Hand Spey

                      (Use your current fly rod)

                      (5, 6, or 7 wt. rods)

> Introduction to Spey casting techniques

> Perfect for pursuing Chattahoochee River, North Georgia, and all other areas that have trout, Smallmouth, or Shoal Bass. Also features the OPST Skagit SMOOTH line (if you just LOVE to fish with soft hackles, streamers and Woolly Buggers). And, with alternate line choices, still be able to fly fish using dry flies, nymphs, or Dry-Dropper rigs.

      LEVEL 2    Introduction to Trout Spey 

                      (#2-#4 wt. two handed rods)

> Lightweight two-handed rods for Georgia and Southeastern trout waters; or, anywhere for that matter!

      LEVEL 3    Spey casting with Switch rods

                      (#5-#7 wt. rods up to 11’-9")

> Target larger species of fish such as local river Stripers and Great Lakes Steelhead with either Scandi or Skagit setups.

      LEVEL 4   Spey Casting with Short Speys

                     (#6-#8 wt. rods)

                     (12’ to 13’ modern Spey rods)

> Two Handed casting for those who pursue Steelhead and Salmon in the Northwest, Alaska, and other world waters.

  Contact information for Fly Fishing School Classes

About Fly Fishing Instruction

Fly Fishing classes (since 1997). One-on-One or small group fly fishing instruction held both on-land and on-water. Beginners are welcome. All equipment is provided for 4 Hour (beginner level) dry land instruction and more advanced level learning how to fly fish for Stripers instruction. Those new to the sport are encouraged NOT to purchase any equipment prior to receiving instruction.

All Fly Fishing School classes focus on building your fly fishing skill set; and, actually HOW to fly fish when you are out on the water. Our ultimate goal is to enable each student to be self-sufficient so that they are able to go out and fish successfully on their own. Everything except fly tying lessons though we do encourage every fly angler to consider getting involved with fly tying.

With 50+ years of fly fishing experience, you will get private hands-on instruction from an individual with experience and dedication to the sport of fly fishing. Casting, knots, fly selection, stream tactics, line mending, equipment selection, leader set-up, and line management techniques are all taught in our Fly Fishing School classes in either our dry land course; or, while on the water while you perfect your fly presentations (Stage 3, Balance your Skill Set).

North Georgia has Trout (Browns and Rainbows), Carp, and Bass species (Largemouth, Kentucky Spotted Bass, White Bass, Shoal Bass, and Stripers). Coldwater and Warmwater opportunities galore are located not far from the Atlanta Metro area (and some even "in" the Atlanta Metro area).

Fly fishing classes are also offered in Upstate NY during the Spring and again during the Summer months. Summers, in particular, are absolutely beautiful in the predominantly rural Finger Lakes Region which includes Ithaca, NY — my home town area. Ithaca is home to both Cornell University and Ithaca College. Fly fishing opportunities in this area are seasonal in nature. Local trout streams and the Susquehanna River which holds Smallmouth Bass are the mainstay fisheries. However, the area also has great spawning runs of lake run Rainbows and Browns at certain times of the year. Landlocked Salmon and Lake Trout are target species in both Cayuga and Seneca Lakes during the Spring and Fall. Pulaski, NY, famous for it’s Fall King Salmon, Cohoe, and Steelhead runs are located only 2 hours north. Last but not least, the Catskill Region, home of American fly fishing, is to the east only 1-1/2 hours away.

South and east of Atlanta, both Florida and the Atlantic Coast have a variety of saltwater species including Redfish, Sea Trout, Jack Cravalle, Bonefish, Permit, and Tarpon. On a regular basis, fly anglers from North Georgia take advantage of these opportunities -- and beyond-- either individually or with a group.

> Due to North Georgia's milder climate, individual and small group instruction is offered most months of the year from October through June. The summer months are just too hot in Georgia! Instruction is scheduled to meet the availability requirements of those who want to either take up the sport of fly fishing; or, want to build on their existing skill set.

> All instruction is personalized based on your choice of class.

> Fly Fishing School classes specialize in highly personalized instruction.

> Small Group Instruction: Our maximum class size is four (4)

Guided Trips also help you to develop as a fly angler. There’s nothing like real world experience. A little help goes a long way after you have accomplished the First Stage... Learning to Cast; or, as a seasoned fly angler expanding your skill set. Or, you just want to get out and fish!

Gift certificates are available. Click on this link to view more about gift certtificates.

Click Here to go to the Gift Certificates Page for more information

Traditional Method - Uses a Single Hand rod to pursue species in coldwater, warmwater, or saltwater. Widest variety of fly presentations including dry fly, nymphing, stripping, and swinging flies. Most people who think of fly fishing envision this style as it is the most widely used method.

Euro Nymphing Method - Typically uses a longer special single hand rod made for the purpose. Focuses on tight line nymphing presentations casting a long leader rather than a traditional fly line. Often referred to as contact nymphing. Dry fly fishing is also supported. Used primarily for trout fishing (within 30-40 ft.) on small to medium size streams with 2, 3, and 4 weight rods. Landing large fish is possible due to the flexibility of the rod.

Tenkara Method - Uses a long, specialized Tenkara rod for reach with an attached line and leader. This method does not use a reel to retrieve line. Popular with backpackers fishing small streams and those who want to try this method of fly fishing. Big fish can be landed using the Tenkara method in coldwater, warmwater, and even saltwater. The company, Zen Tenkara, is pioneering the American style of Tenkara while others focus only on the historically original style popularized in Japan.

Spey Method - Uses a Single Hand or Two Handed rod typically presenting flies on the swing downstream and across (or by stripping) for coldwater or warmwater species. Different line choices allows indicator nymphing and even dry fly presentations when using a Trout Spey rod. Casting with a “D” loop keeps you out of the trees on your back cast. Very effective casting method for trout fishing while using a single hand rod. This method is also used while fishing for steelhead and salmon in larger rivers.

Float Fishing Method - Typically uses longer rods in the 11ft. to 13ft. range and center pin reels. The main line is floating mono. Presentations are downstream using a float leader setup fishing either one or two flies. Many anglers also present “bait” while float fishing for steelhead (in particular) as it is a very effective method.