Program: Honestly, we’ve lost count of the number of spring schools we’ve hosted. Each year we welcome 10 students who range from “never touched a fly rod or caught a fish” to “I can cast, but I’d like to cast better, or farther, or differently, and even a few who just like the food.” No matter where you fall into this range, we’ve got you covered. Our instructors are all Juliana’s Anglers Sporting Club (JASC) members who want to share their love of fly-fishing with other women. We have designed the program with two distinct tracks. By dividing the program we are able to give new anglers the attention they deserve.
The first track is for beginners. We start with the basics about trout, what they eat and where they live. Then we head outside (rain or shine) to learn fly casting. We start on the lawn and then head to the water. Along the way we answer as many questions as you can ask. Our goal is for you to head home with your head swimming with new ideas and planning your next adventure.
The second track is for our more experienced anglers, many of whom are returning attendees. We spend more time outside reading the water and understanding the places where fish can be found. We work on improving existing casts and adding more casting techniques to the tool belt. Each year is different and we adjust the curriculum based on the goals of our students.
Schedule and lodging: We begin by meeting for dinner Thursday night at Old Drover’s Inn in Dover Plains, NY (90 miles north of NYC.) This gives us a chance to get to know each other before the work begins. Following dinner we all head three miles down the road to Ten Mile River Preserve (TMRP), a private hunting and fishing club, also in Dover Plains. TMRP will be our home from Thursday evening through Sunday morning. TMRP has 3000 acres of land, a stocked casting pond, and 3.5 miles of private trout water along the Ten Mile River. Everyone stays on the grounds throughout the program. Students share double rooms with en suite bathrooms in the main lodge.
Meals: All of our meals will be served at TMRP, with the exception of Thursday’s dinner. Both the beginners and more experienced anglers eat together. TMRP has an exceptional chef who does his best to keep us well fed. Coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, and snacks are available throughout the day.
What is Included: All meals, lodging, instruction, and a one year membership to Juliana’s Angler Sporting Club. Rods and reels are available for the program.
What’s not included: Each participant must have her own waders with a wading belt and wading boots. We strongly recommend wading staffs for all angling adventures. Each angler needs to have her own gear at arrival. There is no fly shop at TMRP. We are happy to offer suggestions regarding gear purchases or rentals.
Cost per Angler $995.00