Colorado Mountain Club's Denver Fly Fishing Section


The Colorado Mountain Club's Denver Fly Fishing Section

The Denver Fly Fishing Section offers annually Fly Fishing School (FFS) and Fly Tying School (FTS). The overview of each school is presented below. In addition, clinics and seminars are offered periodically to meet the needs of our section members on specific skills. These include casting, nymphing, rigging, entomology and many other topics.

To learn more about our educational programs, see the Mile High Mountaineer or the CMC on-line activity schedule. To register for FFS go to the "Upcoming Member Schools" link on the CMC home page. To register for monthly educational events go to "Upcoming Events" on the CMC home page. To register for other FF activities, go to the on-line member activity schedule and search on Trip Type "Flyfishing." Contact Member Services at (303) 279-3080 x2 if you need assistance with on-line registration.

Fly Fishing School 101

Each year, in the spring, the instructors in the Fly Fishing Section give of their knowledge, skills and time to teach beginners how to fly fish. The class is designed for those with little or no experience. Students provide their own rod, reel, line waders, boots and license. We provide most everything else.

The course consists of three evening lectures of three hours each and one Saturday field trip. Basic skills and knowledge are emphasized that are a prerequisite to most CMC fly fishing trips. Graduates of the Fly Fishing School are encouraged to sign up for a fly fishing trip as soon as possible. This will allow them to practice and improve their newly acquired skills. Enrollment is limited to 20.

Fly Tying School 101

It is designed for those with little or no experience. Equipment and materials are provided and their cost is included in tuition. The instruction will cover tying tools and how to use them, attaching the thread, attaching the materials, fly proportions, and finishing the fly.

Five basic patterns will be covered that should be in every fly box for Colorado. Using the techniques to tie these 5 basic patterns, the student will be able to tie many different patterns. Enrollment is limited to 8.

Fly Tying School 102

Fly Tying 101 or equivalent skills are a prerequisite for this school. Students must have their own fly tying equipment. Instruction for more complicated Nymphs and two dry flies will be taught. Using these techniques the student will be able to tie dozens of variations. Approximately eight essential flies for Colorado will be covered. Enrollment is limited to 8.

Fly Tying School 201

Fly Tying 101 and 102 or equivalent skills are a prerequisite for this school. It is designed for the individual that has been tying for a while and has all of their equipment and materials. We will cover tasks on individual skill categories, such as "Dry Fly Wings", instead of complete flies. This class is designed to broaden your skills. Enrollment is limited to 6.