Classes with the Experts:
Thursday 9:00-5:00
Advanced Fly Casting Class with Gary Borger & Mac Brown: The advanced fly casting class is for those who wish to improve their “game” when fly fishing. The class is a full 8 hours long and limited to 8 people. Necessary gear includes a 6 to 8-weight rod with a bright colored long belly fly line (such as the Scientific Anglers Expert Distance). The leader should be 7 ½’ to 8’ long. A notepad for taking notes is encouraged to get the most out of the class. You will receive fly casting media such as book, DVD, and first class instruction. Class registration is $625. Where else can you take a class with fly fishing educators with a combined 81 years of teaching experience?
Learn the concepts by understanding the practical and comprehensive casting instruction to take you to the next level. Master a relaxed delivery, throw all types of loops, and increase your distance casts. The presentation fishing casts will enable you to master the concepts as well as the execution of multiple types of layout casts. These are the ones that help you catch more fish!
Dr. Borger is one of the world’s foremost fly fishing educators. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has been a fly fisher since 1955, and has taught classes and lectured internationally on all aspects of fly fishing for trout and salmon since 1972. He has written 10 best-selling books on fly fishing. Gary pioneered fly fishing video instruction with his release of “Nymphing” in 1982. Since then, he has appeared in four videos for the 3M Company; and in cooperation with the of Fly Fishers International, produced the environmental video “Where The Trout Are.” His video production company has produced an additional 17, internationally acclaimed videos in the “Skills of Fly Fishing Series.”
Mac Brown is the owner of Mac Brown Fly Fish and Fly Fishing Guide School in Western NC. Mac created the first full-time fly fishing guide service in Western North Carolina in 1987. The first Delayed Harvest on the Upper Nantahala River in early 1993 was also a result of his efforts. Mac was an Associate Professor at Western Carolina University, teaching the Fly Fishing Program at the collegiate level. Mac Brown is the author of “Casting Angles”, a fly casting handbook for those on the journey of understanding the mechanics of the cast. Mac is a member of many conservation organizations.
They are both active participates in Fly Fishing Shows, FFI Conclaves, and clubs around the globe doing presentations on casting, fly tying, or fishing tactics. As professional instructors and educators, they have helped tens of thousands of beginners through advanced anglers. Learn to become more proficient in the art of fly casting and fly fishing through building a strong foundation of understanding basic concepts.
The class’s objective is to facilitate and share drills, tips, and most importantly share the understanding of modern fly casting. Everyone’s personal journey constantly is enhanced by viewing things over time. Tradition has many gems to take into the future. Evolution is pushing it ahead by conveying what has been introduced in defiance of tradition.
Gain an understanding and appreciation for various rod loading along with the concept of “less is more” in regards to loop efficiency. Once this becomes clearer, there is a light-bulb moment for the student. This equates to greater efficiency for making fly casts while on the stream. Advanced. Click HERE to register.
Thursday 10:00-4:00
DIRECT CONTACT: The Complete Saltwater Fly Fishing Clinic Featuring Capt. Bruce Chard & Capt. BJ Chard: Direct Contact is an intensive, hands-on four-hour saltwater fly fishing clinic designed to connect every part of the saltwater fly fishing experience—from the angler’s hands to the rod, line, leader, fly, presentation, hook-set, and ultimately the fish.
Join Capt. Bruce Chard and Capt. BJ Chard for a unique opportunity to learn from two professional saltwater guides with a combined 44 years of saltwater guiding experience in the Florida Keys—one of the most demanding and respected saltwater fly fishing destinations in the world.
Together, Bruce and BJ bring decades of experience guiding anglers for tarpon, permit and bonefish, hosting international fly fishing adventures around the world, and teaching saltwater fly fishing schools and clinics.
This isn’t simply a casting class.
Direct Contact is about learning how all the pieces of successful saltwater fly fishing work together.
THE DIRECT CONTACT CONCEPT
Saltwater fly fishing is a chain of connections.
Angler → Rod → Fly Line → Leader → Fly → Fish
Every connection matters.
A great cast means little if the fly lands with slack. The perfect presentation means little if the angler can’t maintain contact with the fly. And getting the fish to eat means little if the angler doesn’t understand how to make the proper hook-set and transition immediately into fighting the fish.
Bruce and BJ will break down this entire process and teach anglers how to develop greater control, efficiency, consistency and confidence throughout the complete saltwater fly fishing experience.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Saltwater Casting Fundamentals
Learn the casting mechanics that create efficient, repeatable casts when the pressure is on.
Topics include:
• Loop control and line speed
• Casting stroke and acceleration
• Proper trajectory
• Timing and tempo
• Effective double hauling
• Short, medium and long-range presentations
• Shooting line efficiently
• Casting with minimal false casts
• Picking up and redirecting quickly
• Dealing with wind
• Backhand presentations
• Oval/Belgian casting techniques
• Water-haul techniques
• Eliminating common casting faults such as creep and improper drift
The objective isn’t simply to cast farther.
It’s learning how to deliver the fly quickly, accurately and efficiently when a real saltwater opportunity appears.
The Saltwater Ready Position
Learn how to properly prepare yourself before the fish ever appears.
Bruce and BJ will cover:
• Fly line management
• Proper amount of line outside the rod tip
• Rod position
• Fly placement
• Line-hand position
• Eliminating tangles
• Preparing for fast-moving fish
• Making the first cast count
In saltwater fly fishing, opportunities can happen in seconds.
Being ready is part of the cast.
Presentation & Fly Control
Learn what happens after the fly leaves the rod tip.
Topics include:
• Creating direct contact with the fly
• Eliminating unnecessary slack
• Controlling the fly immediately after presentation
• Proper stripping techniques
• Strip speed and cadence
• Understanding how different species react to the fly
• Maintaining contact during changing angles
• Recognizing the eat
• Knowing when—and when not—to react
The Saltwater Hook-Set
Getting the fish to eat is only half the battle.
Learn:
• Proper strip-setting technique
• Maintaining line tension
• Avoiding the trout-set
• Setting at different angles
• Transitioning from the strip-set to the reel
• Managing loose fly line
• Maintaining pressure during the critical first seconds of the fight
Fighting & Landing Fish
Direct Contact continues after the hook-set.
Bruce and BJ will discuss:
• Proper rod angles
• Applying maximum effective pressure
• Understanding fighting angles
• Using the butt section of the rod
• Managing line during the initial run
• Getting fish onto the reel
• Drag management
• Fighting large saltwater species efficiently
• Landing and handling fish safely
Rod, Reel, Fly Line & Leader Systems
Saltwater equipment should work as a complete system, not as a collection of individual pieces.
Learn how Bruce and BJ match:
Rod + Reel + Fly Line + Leader + Fly
They’ll discuss:
• Choosing the proper rod weight
• Matching fly lines to different rod actions
• Understanding fly-line tapers
• Leader construction
• Leader length
• Butt-section design
• Fluorocarbon vs. monofilament
• Tippet selection
• Knots and connection systems
• Matching tackle to species, conditions and angler ability
Real-World Saltwater Situations
This clinic is built around what actually happens on the flats.
Bruce and BJ will use decades of guiding experience to discuss real fishing situations involving:
Tarpon • Permit • Bonefish • Giant Trevally • Golden Dorado • Redfish and other saltwater species
You’ll learn how casting, presentation, equipment, fish behavior and decision-making come together when the guide says:
“Fish coming—11 o’clock—50 feet. Get ready!”
TWO GENERATIONS. 44 YEARS OF GUIDING EXPERIENCE. ONE COMPLETE SYSTEM.
Bruce and BJ Chard bring two generations of professional saltwater guiding experience to this clinic.
Capt. Bruce Chard has spent more than three decades teaching and guiding saltwater fly anglers, developing saltwater fly fishing schools, hosting international fly fishing adventures, designing specialized saltwater fly fishing equipment, and helping anglers become more successful on the flats.
Capt. BJ Chard grew up immersed in the Florida Keys saltwater fly fishing world and brings his own extensive professional guiding experience, modern perspective and firsthand knowledge of today’s saltwater fisheries and techniques.
Together, they offer something extremely difficult to duplicate:
Two professional saltwater guides. Two generations of experience. One four-hour hands-on clinic.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Direct Contact is designed for anglers who want to become better saltwater fly fishermen—not simply better casters.
Whether you’re preparing for your first saltwater fly fishing trip or you’ve already chased tarpon, permit, bonefish and other species around the world, Bruce and BJ will help identify weaknesses, improve technique and show you how to make the entire saltwater fly fishing system work together.
THE GOAL
When you leave Direct Contact, you should understand not only how to make a better cast, but how to become a more complete saltwater fly angler.
Because in saltwater fly fishing, success isn’t determined by one piece of the system.
It’s determined by your ability to stay connected to all of it.
DIRECT CONTACT, From your hand…to the rod…to the line…to the leader…to the fly…to the fish.
Stay connected. Stay in control. Make every opportunity count. Special price of $250/person. Click HERE to register.
More TBA
Note: Most tying classes require some tying experience and others may require more. Ask us when you call. Beginners are welcome, but be prepared for more than basics. All students must bring their own tying vise, tools, lamp if needed, and a sampling of materials. Most classes will provide adequate materials for the patterns being taught. If a class is canceled, you will be notified 5 days prior to the show and permitted to switch or receive a refund.
All classes will be held indoors.
Casting Classes: Bring your own rod, reel & line.
Fly Tying Classes: Bring your own lamp, vise, tools & a basic selection of materials.
To insure quality instruction class size is limited. Call us for more class descriptions or availability. Classes will fill and close, so register early. The tuition charge of $100 includes admission to the show for that day. There are no refunds unless the class is cancelled. You MUST register in advance. For more information call 814-443-3638. Click HERE for more details and to register.
Fly Fishers International (FFI) hosts the Fly Fishing Learning Center with fly tying, casting instruction and other fly fishing information and is free to show attendees. The FFI Learning Center is a good place for a beginner or to advance the skills of all fly fishers. Stop by and get acquainted!
Live Fly Line Repair Demonstrations
Steve has written a number of articles related to antique fly tackle collecting for magazines and journals such as AntiqueWeek, Classic Angling, Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors, and the Yale Anglers’ Journal. Steve has also written a regular “Cast From The Past” column for Moldy Chum, as well as articles for Hatch, MidCurrent, Dun Magazine, and others. More information at: www.flyfishingtreasures.com
Come see see “Chance” the traveling brook trout display by artist Joey Rizzo. We would like to thank Joey Rizzo for helping to draw attention to wild native brook trout and the threats they face
Belize River Lodge
of printing fish and capturing the story of their catch. This practice dates back to the mid-1800s and is fabled to have settled the timeless debate about catching the biggest fish between samurai. A limited number of attendees with be able to learn about and create their very own Gyotaku fish print with renowned artist, 
Live Paintings with Fly Rods by Zach Otte:
To submit an image, contact Zach through one of the below:
The Gnomes Traveling Rod Show: 
Live watchmaking work by Oak & Oscar