Class Schedule as follows

ONE DAY FLY FISHING SCHOOL

This class will cover basic gear selections, knot tying, fly casting, basic entomology / fly selection, and of course a question and answer session.  Class will start at 8:30am and end between 4:30pm and 5pm.  Lunch is not included but a 30 – 45 min lunch break will start around 12:15pm.  Cost is $135 per person.   Dates available are April 6th, May 12th, June 15th, July 13th, Sept 22nd.  Call the shop or email info@davidsonflyfishing.com to register.

TWO DAY FLY FISHING SCHOOL

The two day school is a continuation of our one day school. After you have completed the ONE DAY SCHOOL, you will start the next day reviewing knot tying, fly casting, and followed up by how to read water, fish behavior, and wading safety.  After lunch you will gear up and spend the afternoon fishing with one of our guides on our private stretch of water on the Davidson River. Here you will apply what you have learning over the past two days and moving on to become more successful on your own.  If you do not have your own gear we will provide you with the gear needed to complete the course.  Class will begin at 8:30am and end between 4:30pm and 5pm.  Lunch is not included but a 30-45 min lunch break will begin at 12:15pm.  Cost is $300 per person.  Dates available are April 6th & 7th, May 12th & 13th, June 15th & 16th, July 13th & 14th, Sept 22nd & 23rd.   Call the shop or email us at info@davidsonflyfishing.com to register.

ON THE WATER WITH KEVIN HOWELL

Learn a variety of tactics from one of the best. These classes are FREE. Dates and ciriculum are as follows:

March 16^th 2012 -Nymph Fishing 101-

Join National Champion Kevin Howell for a 4 hour discussion on nymph fishing.  Kevin will cover suggested rigs, flies, indicators and then put your waders on and get in the water with him as he walks you through reading water and fish behavior.  Class will start at 8:30 and end between 12 and 12:30.  Best of all it is totally free to attend.

April 21^st 2012 – Sight Fishing -

Join National Champion Kevin Howell for a 2 hour discussion on sight fish.  Kevin will cover everything from sight fishing on the flats to casting to rising trout in a mountain stream.  Kevin will also cover new casting techniques for accuracy and speed.  Class will start at 8:30 and end around 10:30.  Best of all it is totally free to attend.

May 11^th 2012 –Dry Fly Fishing-

Join National Champion Kevin Howell for a 2 hour discussion on fishing dry flies.  Kevin will cover, fly selection, and presentation.  Kevin will also cover casting, mending and line management which will allow for drag free presentations.  Class will start at 8:30 and end around 10:30.  Best of all it is totally free to attend.

July 6^th 2012 –Switching from Trout to Bass-

Join National Champion Kevin Howell for a 4 hour discussion on how to switch from trout fishing to smallmouth bass.  Kevin will cover, rod, line and fly modifications.  Kevin will also cover fly casts for the bass angler as well as reading water.  This class will be held on a bass stream.  Class will start at 8:30 and end between 12 and 12:30.  Best of all it is totally free to attend.  You must call the shop register and get directions to meeting location.

October 12^th 2012 –Finding Fall Trout-

Join National Champion Kevin Howell for a 2 hour discussion on finding fall trout.  Kevin will discuss the migratory patterns of trout in fall and winter months.  Kevin will also cover the best tactics for fishing in the fall and early winter.   Class will start at 8:30 and end around 10:30.  Best of all it is totally free to attend.

November 16^th 2012 –Beginning Saltwater Fishing-

Join National Champion Kevin Howell for a 4 hour discussion on how to get started fly fishing in the big pond.  Kevin will discuss saltwater rods, reels and lines.  Kevin will also cover basic fly selection, best saltwater fish to target with a fly rod, as well as recommended saltwater trips for the beginner and intermediate saltwater angler.  .  Class will start at 8:30 and end between 12 and 12:30.  Best of all it is totally free to attend.

Interested in catching muskies on the fly? Give us a shout at the shop and learn more about our muskie trips and how you can land one of these monsters right here in WNC!

DRO Guide Bill Strickland fishing the Davidson River on a cold winter day with temps not breaking the above freezing mark. All in all, the fish were on their usual feeding habits and Dr Yates managed to have a pretty good day.  Read more about the day on the water with Bill and Dr. Yates at www.castawayblog.wordpress.com

DRO Guide Jeff Furman shows how winter fishing on the Davidson River is a great time for big fish!

Fly Fishing Film Tour from Chris Keig on Vimeo.

2012 Fly Fishing Film Tour will be in Asheville April 6, 2012 at the Highland Brewery. Doors open at 7pm and show starts at 7:30pm. See you there!

Winter lake fishing has been fishing really well lately with the mild weather we are having  thus far. Break out your sinking lines and take advantage of your local hatchery supported lakes in Western North Carolina for some great trout fishing. For more information on lakes to fish or guided trips call the shop and ask for Bill.

Trout have to eat to survive. While we all stopped fishing because the weather got cold, the fish still have to eat; therefore fishing can be even better in the cold. I enjoy winter fishing probably more than any other time of the year. There are fewer people on the river and the fish I catch are generally larger.

1. This is the clearest water of the year. You will need to approach holes cautiously. Fish will spook easier this time of year than any other time. Watch so that your shadow does not fall over the fish you are fishing for.
2. S L O W down. While most anglers fish just as fast as they do in warm weather, the fish are lethargic and will not run the length of the pool to attack a fly. You may literally have to drift the fly over the fish three times to make him eat it.
3. Know what the fish are feeding on. There are not a lot of insects available to the trout in the cooler water, mainly midges, stoneflies, and a few baitfish or crayfish. There are also some worms available after it rains.
4. Larger flies are the key. Fish either large flies that imitate stoneflies, or fish midge larva and pupa, generally sizes 20 and smaller. I typically fish a size 8 Kevin’s Stonefly, with a #20 chocolate WD 40 trailing the larger stonefly.
5. While it is tempting to fish very small tippet, don’t. There is usually increased water flow, so I typically fish 4x fluorocarbon to my lead fly and 5x to my dropper. This results in fewer lost fish, and fewer lost flies on the bottom.

The 2012 Southeast Regional Qualifier for Team USA has been announced on the Davidson River and surrounding waters for February 17th,18th,19th 2012. This is a great opportunity to come watch some of the best anglers in the country compete for a spot on next years Team USA. This event is being hosted out of Davidson River Outfitters in Brevard, North Carolina. Venues to include the Davidson River, East Fork of the French Broad, Tanasee Creek Lake, and the Davidson River Private Waters. For more information please visit the website www.usnffc.com