2024 CFFA Fly Fishing Class Schedule and Curriculum
March 21, Class 1. Fly Rods, Lines, & Reels
Why Fly Casting is Different: Lines and Line Weights: Classification of Line Weights
Types of Fly Lines: Fly Rods: Design, Function, Action, Material, Fly Reels
March 28, Class 2. Characteristics of Trout and Diet of Stream Trout
Many fish can be taken on the Fly. ID Most Common Trout in the East. Trout Survival: Needs,
Characteristics, Diet, Aquatic Insects: Mayflies, Caddis flies, Stone flies.
April 4, Class 3. Stream Tactics
Location: Rise Types: Approach: Water Types: Pools, Reach, Pocket. Factors Determining Fly Selection-
Streamers and Buck tail, Wet and Nymphs, Dry
April 11, Class 4. Leaders and Knots
Basic Advice on Tying Knots ( It is important not only to select the right knot for a particular job but to tie
it properly. Poorly Tied knots will mean lost fish and aggravation.)
Backing to Reel: Backing to Fly Line: Fly Line to Leader: Leader to Tippet: Tippet to Fly
April 27, Class 5 - Outdoor Live Casting Instruction The Freshwater Fly Casting lessons will held at a pond in East Hartford.
May 4, Class 6 – On Water Fishing with CFFA Members – Live on water stream fishing on the Willimantic River. One on One Instruction. (Class date may be changed based on water level, must be a safe height.
All Class Details
Time: Evenings, 6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Location: Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield St. Wethersfield, CT 06109 Room S2
*Fees:
Adult non-member - $50.00; Adult CFFA member - $40.00.
Youths 21 and under -$30.00; Adults who attend with paid youth may take course at no cost.
*All non-members receive a free one year membership to CFFA. $25.00 Value*
Contact: Pete Naples at
Note: There are no makeup dates for classes missed unless postponement due to inclement weather. In this case we will reschedule class
Program ; Fly Fishing Montana’s Kootenai River.
The Kootenai river flows in Northwestern Montana as is home to Wild Rainbow, Cutthroat, Cut-Bows, Brown, Brook and Bull Trout. This presentation will take you to this beautiful river and includes scenery, lodging options and the equipment needed to fish it effectively.
Pitkin Community Center
30 Greenfield Street
Wethersfield, CT 06109
When I was eleven years old I observed my 1st Fly Fisherman casting a Fly Rod at Salmon River in Connecticut. I knew right then that one day I would try that technique of fishing for trout. I received my 1st Fly Fishing outfit for Christmas in 1970 when I was 16 years old, it was a Fenwick Fiberglass FF706 rod paired with a Pflueger 1494 Medalist reel. I was using this rod and reel on the same Salmon River where I saw my 1st Fly Fisherman when I landed my 1st fly rod caught trout using a black Wooly Worm with a red tail. I still have and use this outfit today. This was the beginning of my fly fishing adventure and it continues today.
As time marched on I continued my new adventure and at the age of 30 I added Fly Tying to it when I signed up for lessons conducted by the Connecticut Fly Fisherman’s Association in 1984. Later that year I became a member of CFFA and in 1990 I accepted the Board position of Education Chairman. I loved this work and remained on the BOD in this position until 2010. After a short hiatus I was asked to become the president of CFFA beginning in 2016. I thought about it for only a moment and gladly accepted the position. It is now 2023 and I am still enjoying each day I serve as president of the CFFA along with the Fly Fishing adventure that began a long time ago.
Gary Steinmiller
Title: Bamboo Fly Rods: Connecticut History & Current Construction
Summary: This talk will consist of two parts. First, Michael will provide an historical overview of bamboo fly rod building in CT. This will include a discussion of known and less well known makers. He will discuss bamboo rod making innovation in CT and how CT makers contributed to the future and perpetuation of the bamboo rod making craft. Second, Michael will provide an overview of how to make a bamboo rod.
Bio: Michael Day makes bamboo rods for traditional trout fishing. He tests his rods year round in Connecticut’s four seasons. Michael has a particular interest in designing tapers and updating vintage tapers through modern innovative techniques
Pitkin Community Center 6:30 - 9pm
30 Greenfield Street
Wethersfield CT 06109
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