Royal Wulff

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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ACCOMMODATIONS
SCHEDULE
RATES
FAQ's

Fly Fishing on the Beaverkill

Wulff School

Joan Wulff is the first instructor to unravel the mystery of fly casting to the point of pioneering a set of mechanics. These were presented in her book, Fly Casting Techniques (1987). She is also the author of Joan Wulff's Fly Fishing: Expert Advice from a Woman's Perspective (1991), and Fly Casting Accuracy (1997). Her fly casting column appears in FLY ROD & REEL magazine. A new video: Dynamics of Fly Casting, was released in 1997.

Joan has cast a fly an incredible 161 feet! Over a period of sixteen years, she has won an international and 17 national championships. Additionally, she continues to be the recipient of numerous awards relating to her efforts in both the fishing industry and conservation.

In 1996 Joan offered the first-ever schools for instructors of fly casting, and became a consultant to the R.L. Winston Rod Company to further the development of tackle for women.

A Message

The Wulff School of Fly Fishing has always been a personal school. Starting in 1979, it was Lee’s and my dream to share, the skills and lore of our wonderful sport of fly fishing.

Lee will be with you through his words, films, and philosophy. I will be with you through my analysis of the casting stroke and instructional techniques. Both of us will be with you through our experienced and very capable staff of instructors, all of whom have been trained in, and embraced, the Wulff School method.

Our instructors love what they do and will help you to attain your personal goals. The instructor-to-student ratio is 1-to-4.

The Wulff School is also personal in the sense that we provide students with rod choices from a dozen different manufacturers. Of course you are free to bring and use your own tackle.

So whether you are parent and child, husband and wife, with friends or alone, you are most welcome at the Wulff School of Fly Fishing on the Beaverkill. Join us this season!

Sincerely,

The School Setting

The Wulff School of Fly Fishing is located on the Catskill's best known river, the Beaverkill, birthplace of dry-fly fishing in America.

The School's 100 acres in the upper Beaverkill Valley is a beautiful setting of forest, meadow, and ponds. Our school building is specially designed and built to meet our teaching requirements. An adjoining private stretch of the Beaverkill is used to teach wading, streamcraft and obstacle casting.

Students with extra time should not miss fishing the famous streams of the area such as the Esopus, Delaware, Neversink and, of course, the trout-rich "no-kill" stretches of the Beaverkill and Willowemoc.

Course Descriptions

Trout Fishing
This is our all-encompassing trout course, good for beginners and experienced trout fishermen alike. In addition to theory and practice of casting* on ponds and in the river, you'll learn about stream entomology, fishing knots, reading water, tackle know-how, fly selection, approach and presentation, wading, playing, landing and releasing fish. Lee's Trout On a Fly and Joan's Fly Casting Techniques are provided as textbooks.
* including the use of videotape on one of the five sessions.

Techniques of Fly Casting
This course is the ideal follow-up to the Trout Course. It is not recommended for absolute beginners, because of its intensity. The course is designed to improve any angler's casting skill in fresh or salt water because we can instruct individually and move at each student's learning pace. The course includes tackle know-how, casting patterns for stream coverage, accuracy, shooting line, and -- depending on the student's interest and ability -- distance casting with the use of single and double hauls, oval casting, handling heavy flies, short and long rods, and shooting-heads. Fly Casting Techniques is provided as your textbook.

Instructors Course
This class will be conducted by Joan, Sheila Hassan, and Floyd Franke. Experience with the Wulff School casting method, through the Casting School, is required. Details sent on request.

Accommodations

Students must make their own reservations for accommodations. Less than one mile away is the Beaverkill Valley Inn, an authentic 19th century angler's hotel. Other accommodations are available in the area from 20 to 30 minutes away. (Ask our school secretary, for further information.)

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2009 Schedule of Classes

For the 2009 season, The Wulff School of Fly Fishing will run 7 scheduled schools, (3) Trout Fishing, (3) Techniques of Fly Casting and an Instructors school.

School Hours: Weekends, Friday 8pm through Sunday 5pm.

TROUT:
April 24-26
May 15-17
June 26-28

CASTING:
May 1-3
May 29-31
June 12-14

INSTRUCTOR: (Casting school is a prerequisite for Instructor school)
May 4-6

For more information or reservations please call (845) 439-5020.

Email: wulffschool@pronetisp.net

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Tuition:

Trout and Casting Schools
$625.00 (Tuition Only)

Instructor School
The $750.00 tuition includes Joan's book, Fly Casting Accuracy, a VHS or DVD Dynamics Of Fly Casting, and a FLY-O. Bring with you the Fly Casting Techniques book that you already own. The school will also provide a picnic lunch on days 2 and 3.

Class begins the first day at 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on the following two days. There will be a break for a picnic lunch and the school will end at 5:30-6:00 p.m. each day. Evenings will be free for dinner on your own or with a group at "local" restaurants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Major Airports -- How far from NYC?
Newark, NJ and LaGuardia, NYC are about 130 miles from the school. Take Parkways to the New York Thruway to Exit 16, at Harriman. Take Rte. 17 West to Livingston Manor/Lew Beach, Exit 96.
Stewart International in Newburgh, NY is about 70 miles. It is serviced by American Airlines, United Express, US Airways Express, ASA Delta Connections, Comair Delta Connections, and Midway. Avis, Budget and Hertz rental cars are available at the Airport.

Will you see Joan?
Yes if she is not traveling.

What equipment should you bring?
We ask our students who own waders to bring them for the stream session. It is not necessary to buy them in order to come to class, however, as we have several pairs available. If you would like to bring your own rods, reels, etc., you are free to do so. But do not buy new equipment just to come to class, as we will provide it. On Sunday afternoon, you'll get to try all the rods we have at our "rod testing session." This way, you'll have a better idea of what to buy when you are ready to purchase new, or first-time gear.

How old should children be?
We suggest that children are at least 10 years old, and have their own interest in fly fishing. Due to the intensity of the course, it is not recommended for younger children.

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Travel Directions

The Wulff School of Fly Fishing is located 3 miles upriver from Lew Beach, NY and 2-1/2 hours (120 miles) by car from New York City. It is 13 miles from Livingston Manor, a stop on the New York-Binghamton bus route. Detailed travel directions will be sent to each student.

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ROYAL WULFF PRODUCTS - 7 Main Street, Box 948 - Livingston Manor, NY 12758 - 800-328-3638