Fly Fishing Schools

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The schools are designed to cover skill levels ranging from the pure novice to the “I’ve tried it, I liked it, but I do not know what I’m doing!” Under the watchful eye of our instructors, you will lay a solid foundation for your life long adventure in fly fishing. Upon completion of this comprehensive full day school, you will be skilled and confident enough to pack up your fly fishing gear and head out to enjoy a trip on the water of your choosing.

Your D&H Fly Fishing Instructor

Brian Barnard has a fly rod in his hand many times a week. If you have any particular needs for your group, feel free to contact Brian. He is particularly interested in helping beginner fly fishermen get started. He strives to make fly fishing as simple and straightforward as possible for new anglers.

Brian Barnard has served as an instructor since Delamere & Hopkins first introduced fly fishing schools in 1995. Brian has over 35 years of fly fishing experience and has completed his professional certification through the Federation of Fly Fishers.

The Curriculum

Some of the topics that will be addressed are:

Equipment: How to select appropriate tackle for a given fishing situation; line weights and rod actions. Knots to get you started. Selecting the proper leader to match the fly and the fishing situation. Understanding the leader and tippet relationship.

Casting: You will learn the fundamentals and how to apply them to advanced casting techniques.

Fishing: An afternoon of fishing and perfecting techniques learned earlier in the day. All fishing is done on a catch and release basis.

The schools are comprised of two sessions: In-The-Field and Classroom.

In-The-Field

We are blessed to have several convenient parks that border The Little Miami River, one of our best local waterways. The day will start with all participants meeting at the park at 9am. After a full day of instruction, lunch and fishing, the school will end at 3pm.

The parks have a lot of room (great for casting), clean restroom facilities, and picnic shelters so we can enjoy our lunch. The first portion of our day is spent at a park learning how to cast and covering the other critical fundamentals of the sport. After lunch, we will migrate our learning to water and have the option of fishing the Little Miami or a local bass pond. Weather and water conditions will dictate where we spend the afternoon.

Classroom

This portion of the school will be a two-hour session held at Delamere & Hopkins. Each student will coordinate the date of their session with the shop for a date after the In-The-Field portion of the school. Although we have a list of topics we want to cover during this session, we find that this is a valuable time for students to ask questions to fully understand an aspect of the angler’s gear.

When

2025 Fly Fishing School Dates:

March 8	Private School-Date Available
March 15	Private School-Date Available
March 22	Private School-Date Available
April 12	Group School-4 Spots Available
April 13	Private School-Date Available
May 17	Group School-4 Spots Available
May 24	Group School-4 Spots Available

Many customers opt for a private school for themselves or their group. Please contact the shop if you would like to set up something for you, your group or your corporate event. 513-871-FISH

Cost & Payment

Group School

$195 per student, includes all angling equipment. There needs to be at least two students for the school to take place.

Private School

$450 You and the instructor pick a date; during the week may work.

$100 for each additional student.

To reserve a slot for an upcoming school or for more information, feel free to contact the shop, 513-871-3474 or email at dhshop@fuse.net.

Additional Information

All equipment for the In-The-Field portion of the school is provided. This includes rod, reel, flies and leaders. If you have your own equipment, please bring along for evaluation and usage, if appropriate. Water will be available all day.

Delamere & Hopkins