YOUR SCHOOL EXPERIENCE WILL INCLUDE: LODGING – Our cabins are complete with full bath.  Each cabin has a 360 degree panoramic view featuring the river, mountains, birds and wildlife. ALL MEALS - All you can eat meals.  Any dietary restrictions will be honored. COST $1095.00 per person, All-Inclusive

 

 

CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION - Classes will be limited to 6 students each session

 

CASTING PRACTICE ON THE BIGHORN RIVER AS WELL AS ON GRASS

 

CLASSROOM GUIDE BOOK

 

CLOSE PERSONAL ATTENTION

 

GUIDED FLOAT TRIP ON THE BIGHORN RIVER

 

WE WILL PROVIDE RODS AND REELS  (if needed)

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING:

 

 ·         RODS (OPTIONAL) 4 TO 6 WT.  8 1/2 TO 9 FT.

·         REEL WITH A GOOD DRAG MECHANISM

·         WEIGHT FORWARD FLOATING LINE

·         RAIN GEAR AND WARM CLOTHING

·         EXTRA WOOL OR SYNTHETIC SOCKS

·         WADERS AND BOOTS ( rentals available if needed)

·         POLARIZED SUNGLASSES

·         HAT

·         SUNSCREEN

·         INSECT REPELLENT

·         CAMERA AND FILM

 Private lessons available upon request.

 

DAY 1

• BREAKFAST
• INTRODUCTION
• SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
• STUDENTS’ INDIVIDUAL GOALS

• FLYFISHING OVERVIEW
HISTORY
SPECIES
GEAR
GEOGRAPHY
TECHNOLOGY
RIVER ETIQUETTE

• TACKLE
FLY LINES
LEADERS
TIPPETT
KNOT TYING

• QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SESSION

REFRESHMENT BREAK

• CASTING
CASTING MECHANICS
ROLL CAST
STRAIGHT LINE CASTS

LUNCHEON

• READING THE WATER
WHERE THE FISH ARE AND WHY

• CASTING
REVIEW OF BASICS
ACHIEVING THE ROLL CAST
STRAIGHTLINE CASTS

• SESSION 1 SUMMARY
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

• BREAK

DINNER

Day 2

BREAKFAST

• ENTYMOLOGY
WHAT THE FISH EAT
MATCH THE HATCH
BASIC FLY TYING

• CASTING
BUILDING ON DAY 1
SLACK-LINE CASTING
MENDING

REFRESHMENT BREAK

• OBSERVATION
INTERPRETING RISE FORMS
INSECT RECOGNITION
SEEING FISH
INSECTS ON AND UNDER THE WATER
STOMACH SAMPLING

LUNCHEON

• PRESENTATION
DRAG FREE TECHNIQUES NEEDED FOR SUCCESS

• FIGHTING AND LANDING FISH

REFRESHMENT BREAK

• CASTING
PRACTICE DRILLS TO TAKE HOME
INDIVIDUAL TIPS TO WORK ON

• SESSION SUMMARY WITH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

CLOSING CEREMONY

BREAK

DINNER




DAY 3

GUIDED FLOAT TRIP ON THE BIGHORN RIVER




Total inclusive cost is $1095.00
 

 "Michael is a great teacher and guide.  We learned a lot about the Bighorn and fly fishing in general. He has great patience and his humor are really wonderful assets.  The longer we are in education and coaching, the more important humor and having a good time becomes.  Tell him to keep up the great work he does.  He enriched our lives.  We will never forget our time together."  Steve and Carl, Bradford, PA

 

 

THE GUIDE SCHOOL ON THE BIGHORN
“The perfect place to become a professional flyfishing guide”

FAll Session  October 17-23      Spring Session I March 21-27
Session II March 28-April 3

SPECIAL PROMO FOR GUIDE SCHOOL

TOTAL ALL INCLUSIVE COST   $1999.00 1st person

Bring a friend for $1599.00

ALL LODGING
ALL MEALS
ALL TAXES
FIRST AID COURSE WITH BOOK
ALL INSTRUCTION
RIVER TRAINING
FISHING BIBLIOGRAPHY
MANUAL
CALENDAR
NOTEBOOK

BOOK ON KNOTS

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
BIGHORN RIVER GUIDES HAT

 

Some Testimonials from sone of our Guide school attendees

I have been flyfishing for almost 30-years, mostly lakes and some rivers. When I decided to go to the Bighorn River Guide School I looked at others in my home state, but the scenery and the fishing I felt could not be beat. I had no idea what to expect out of the school. I can say it met my expectations and then some! My goal was just to become better.
At the end of the school I can honestly say that my casting techniques have been improved so much that I catch and land more fish. Reading the rivers, determining what they eat, tying flies at the river and lakes. I could go on about so much more when it comes down to it I will do this again and send my son next year!
Was it an intense program, yes but well worth it. Now I did not say much about rowing all I can say as for me it was panic mode. The instructor was patient and helped me work through it. Role-playing was fun, especially when you were the guide and every one else were clients.
Accommodations are great. You cannot go wrong with the Bighorn River Guide School. You will be taught by the best!
Catch and Release forever,
Ron from Colorado

 

What makes a person want to be a professional flyfishing guide?

• Great working locations
“best office in the world”

• Get away from the “rat race”

• Love of the Sport

• The enjoyment you get from helping others fulfill their dreams

• The challenge of a new day on the river

• The different experiences you have each and every day

• Meeting people from all over the world

• Laboratory for Studying human nature

• Working at a career you can love




Our instructors are full time year round professional Bighorn River guides


Our INSTRUCTORS/GUIDES are:
Highly skilled
Professional
Knowledgeable
Experienced
and most importantly
PATIENT


Michael Mastrangelo
Michael has been fishing the Bighorn since 1985 and is the owner/outfitter for the Fort Smith Fly Shop and Cabins for the past 13 years. Michael has been the President of the Bighorn River Alliance for the past five years. It is a non-profit organization to enhance, protect and preserve the Bighorn River. Michael is an excellent instructor. Long time clients call Michael the”troutfather.”


Chad Becker
Chad has been a guide and instructor for 18 years. He has guided for salmon, steelhead and trout in the Great Lakes Region as well as trout in Montana. Chad has instructed hundreds of people in both casting and fly tying.

 
School Schedule
Sunday Arrival by 5 p.m.
Welcome party and dinner

DAY 1

• INTRODUCTION
• SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
• STUDENTS’ INDIVIDUAL GOALS

• FLYFISHING OVERVIEW
HISTORY
SPECIES
GEAR
GEOGRAPHY
TECHNOLOGY
RIVER ETIQUETTE

• TACKLE
FLY LINES
LEADERS
TIPPETT
KNOT TYING

• QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SESSION

• BASICS OF ROD RIGGING
• CASTING
CASTING MECHANICS
ROLL CAST
STRAIGHT LINE CASTS

• READING THE WATER
WHERE THE FISH ARE AND WHY

• CASTING
REVIEW OF BASICS
ACHIEVING THE ROLL CAST
STRAIGHTLINE CASTS

• SESSION 1 SUMMARY
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS


Day 2
• COMPLETE FIRST AID COURSE BY A CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR

• ACCOUNTING- HOW TO MANAGE YOUR MONEY BY A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT


• HALF DAY ON THE RIVER
• BOAT SKILLS
• PROTOCOL
• ROWING
• SAFETY

• SESSION 2 SUMMARY
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS



DAY 3
• FLY TYING
ENTYMOLOGY
WHAT THE FISH EAT
MATCH THE HATCH
BASIC FLY TYING

• CASTING
BUILDING ON PREVIOUS DAYS CLASSES
SLACK-LINE CASTING
MENDING


• SESSION 3 SUMMARY
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS




DAY 4
• FULL DAY ON THE RIVER
• ALL RIVER SESSIONS INCLUDE ROLE PLAYING
ROWING INSTRUCTION
READING THE WATER
ONSTREAM RIGGING
PROPER RIVER ETIQUETTE


• SESSION 4 SUMMARY
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

DAY 5
HALF DAY ON THE RIVER

• OBSERVATION
INTERPRETING RISE FORMS
INSECT RECOGNITION
SEEING FISH
INSECTS ON AND UNDER THE WATER
STOMACH SAMPLING

• PRESENTATION
DRAG FREE TECHNIQUES NEEDED FOR SUCCESS

• FIGHTING AND LANDING FISH

• CASTING
PRACTICE DRILLS TO TAKE HOME
INDIVIDUAL TIPS TO WORK ON

• SESSION 5 SUMMARY
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS


WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING

Fishing Gear
Rods – 4 to 6 weight, 8 1/2 to 9 ft.
Reel with a smooth drag
Weight forward floating line
Wading Gear
Clothing for variable conditions
Sunscreen
Polarized Sunglasses
Hat
Rain Gear
Insect Repellent
Camera and Film
Wool or wool blend socks