This article originally appeared in Rivers & Feathers.
United Women on the Fly is taking the leap from its strong online learning series to offer its first in-person, hands-on event. The Fly Fish Instruct 1.5 Day Women’s Fly Fishing 101 Workshop will be held May 12 & 13 in the mountains of North Carolina.
This workshop is geared towards someone who has never picked up a fly rod, has a minimal amount of experience, or is looking to solidify their basic knowledge of fly fishing. Pisgah Area Women’s Fly Fishing Group is helping to host the program.
Accessible and Affordable Education is one of United Women on the Fly’s Core Values. The organization is working to ensure that all have an opportunity to experience the sport. Founder Heather Hudson, one of three instructors for the workshop, feels there’s a long way to go in the mission to make fly fishing more inclusive. Hodson will lead the workshop with the help of Jessica Whitmire, operations and marketing manager at Headwaters Outfitters Outdoor Adventures, and Hannah Myers, a guide and Outdoor Shop Assistant Manager at Headwaters Outfitters.
Day 1 will be an 8 hr in-person classroom session with a mix of indoor and outdoor instruction. The second day includes a 1/2 day guided trip on private water. The organization’s goal with this workshop is to provide hopeful anglers with the knowledge and equipment to continue their fly fishing journey, and to leave the workshop feeling more comfortable to be independent on the water.
The program is $750 without camping, or $800 with a camping reservation, and includes 1.5 days of classroom instruction, guided fishing, 20% guide gratuity, fishing tackle and gear, course materials, and lunch. Participants will keep the included rod/reel and fishing tackle. Fishing license, gratuities, travel, lodging, breakfast and dinners are not included. All students must be immunized or have a negative Covid test within 72 hrs of arrival, and follow the CDC and State of North Carolina recommendations.
For angling enthusiasts who already have a 5wt 9′ fly rod, reel, fly line or the other equipment offered in this workshop, UWOTF is offering the opportunity to give back to the sport by donating the equipment to the UWOTF scholarship fund and equipment locker. Visit UWOTF’s website for more information on the workshop. Get to know Pisgah Area Women’s Fly Fishing Group here.
