Rapidly advance your learning curve to quickly understand and apply the essential elements necessary to catch trout on a fly rod. The overview of this course will cover casting, rigging, understanding hatches and the related flies that should be in your fly box. Bring your own equipment, or we can make arrangements to rent whatever gear you may need. This class is limited to four people to ensure individual attention. A free laminated map of the Farmington River’s pools, riffles and runs along with a new hatch chart will be given out.

At days end after the class, you will be able to fly fish competently on your own. Specific topics include aerial and roll casting, casting with an indicator, dry fly and nymphing casting techniques, mending, rigging leaders & tippet, knots, Farmington River hatches and the associated flies, how to correctly use a wading staff to wade safely, how to locate trout and the major pools to fish on the Farmington River.

Mark Roy Swenson is a commercial artist and illustrator with a Bachelor of Science degree in teaching. He has been a guide in CT for over 40 years. Please review his bio on the Upcountry’s web site under Guides. Class will run from 9am until approximately 4pm, with a lunch break in the middle- please bring a brown bag lunch. These classes are very popular and fill up quickly. Call UpCountry at 860-379-1952 to secure your reservation today. Cost is $150, paid in full in advance, nonrefundable. Class happens rain or shine, so please bring a raincoat.