Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Fort Collins Fly Fishing Lessons: Hire a Guide or Instructor?

Today's Blog Post

Many people need a fly fishing instructor/teacher, not a guide.  Read why. 

Client Testimonial 

I recently spent a day fishing, and most importantly, learning, with Mark Foley.  Full disclosure, I’m a beginner, sometimes frustrated, fly fisher.  I had been out once before with a guide who was great at tying on a fly, pointing me to fish, and saying “put the fly there."  When I couldn’t place the fly “there", because I couldn’t cast that accurately, he just picked another spot or moved us.  We caught fish and it was fun, but I knew this time I wanted something different.  I wanted to learn the WHY and HOW of fly fishing techniques.  And that’s what I got with Mark.  He patiently answered my questions about equipment and fly choice, then coached me on rigging up and tying knots efficiently.  He helped me understand how to read the water and find fish.  He coached my casting technique, presentation, and drift. 


When I did catch fish, he showed me ways to safely land and release them.  He patiently untied wind and bad cast knots, all with an easy going disposition and sense of humor. I learned more in one day with Mark than I have after several seasons muddling my way through videos, books, and advice from friends.  As a retired teacher, I definitely know there’s a difference between knowing how to do something and how to TEACH something.  Mark is a teacher!  Best of all, he’s just an all around good guy, and I look forward to working with him again in the future. 

K. Bunning.  Granby, CO