Fly fishing takes us to beautiful places and the Pensacola Bay system is one of them. Fly fishing these waters provides for some exciting times. Being prepared is a must. Whether you are just beginning your adventure as a fly fisher or just need to tune up your cast before you hit the water, I can get you prepared properly.

I have been lucky to have spent time with many of the great casters and instructors over my 30 years of fly fishing. I spent many a day casting with members of the Golden Gate Fly Casting Club to learn instruction techniques along with them tuning my cast. A move to East Coast provided me the opportunity to lessons and work other world renown fly casters/anglers. Today, I continue to expose myself to those that are leaders in the casting and instructing world. Studying for my Casting Instructor Certification under Fly Fishing International brought me to the tutelage of Gulf Coast Fly Fishing School, which was the final piece tighten everything up, including instruction.

I started Pensacola Beach Fly Fishing with the thought in mind of exposing fly fishers, (beginners to experts), to the beauty of my little slice of “heaven”. I decided being a licensed guide was not enough so I studied/practiced and became a Certified Casting Instructor under the guidelines Fly Fishing International. I would love to help you not with just fly casting but fishing.

Lessons for most begin with “lawn” casting, which allows for ease of instruction, caster stability, and control of wind direction. This lawn casting soon leads to the boat and what everyone comes here for, the FISHING. As a U.S. Coast Guide licensed “captain” I can quickly transition casters to anglers. For beginners (caster dependent), I recommend at least 3, 1-hour lessons on land before heading to the boat. Generally, after 3 lessons you should be ready to fly fish, either on the boat or wading. I believe it is easier to learn in multiple “short term” lessons than over one long term lesson (say 3-4 hours). But if time is a premium we can work with is given us. Tune ups for advanced casters generally take a single lesson, but it is not restricted to that.

LESSONS

Beginner Lawn Lessons - 3, 1-hour lessons lawn lessons $100 for the first lesson, $75 for the remaining two. Hourly rates however are $100/hour.

You can expect to learn, the gear and terminology, basic fundamentals of casting, the roll cast, the pick up and lay down cast, false casting, and feeding line. 

Tune for Advanced Casters – 1 hour sessions $100/hour.

You can expect to get help with double haul, saltwater quick cast, and distance casting. Not to mention help with tailing loops (if present)

On the Water Lessons – 4 or 5 hours on the water “lesson/charter” – $500 and $600.

You will put together the land skills and apply them to fishing. Additional instruction will include casting in the wind, casting schools of fish and when you’re ready, sight casting to individual fish.