The Art of Fly Fishing
Thomas Moran Albert Bierstadt
It was paintings by Thomas Moran and Albert Bierstadt that aroused the curiosity of Paul Campbell. However it was a photography workshop given by Ansel Adams in Big Sur that motivated him to travel to the Sierras and view Yosemite Valley first hand. Not only did the Valley influence his landscape paintings and photography but it introduced him to fly fishing on the Merced River, an experience that eventually led to him and his new bride to buy a 35 acre parcel of land on the White river in the Arkansas Ozarks. There they built and operated a fly fishing lodge for 20 years. Upon retiring in scenic Lotus California Paul was able to once again fly fish his favorite trout streams in the Sierra foothills. As he met other fishermen on the river he found himself wanting to resurrect his fly fishing classes. After all, teaching anglers the art of fly fishing had been a major part of his adult life for 20 years and he missed the camaraderie shared by fly fishermen the world over.
Ever wonder why they call it the art of fly fishing? Is it the graceful loop made by the fly line during a cast? Or the satisfaction of a perfect presentation of the fly followed by a dead free drift? Or the contest between man and a fish fighting to be free? Or the feeling when the fly fisherman releases the fish back into nature unharmed? It is all of these things plus the simple fact that trout are found in some of the most picturesque mountain landscapes on earth.
Slab Creek Dam
South Fork American River
What, When, Where and How?
All of these questions are answered in Paul's classes.
What?
After a brief dissertation on the concepts of fly fishing followed by a fly tying demonstration Paul discusses the equipment used by the fly fisher and how to be smart in your selection of rods, reels and waders. The importance of knowing rod and line selection, leaders and tippit, flies and rigging the rod.
When?
Early Midday Late
Depending upon the species there are optimum times to fish. Tactics and flies vary with time of day and weather. These variables are all considered in Paul's classes and are in his workshop manual which is supplied for the classroom and becomes the students permanent reference guide for the stream.
Where?
The Truckee, Eel, Mokelumne, Merced, Trinity, Kern, Carson, Smith, Garcia or Gualala Rivers? There are thousands of miles of rivers and streams to fly fish in California. To find out where...........fish them one mile at a time. Paul will tell plenty of fishing stories which encompass many miles of streams.
How?
Ninety percent of the fish in a river occupy ten percent of the stream. Paul teaches his students where these holding waters are, why the fish are there and how they feed. Fly casting appears to be difficult but with an experienced instructor anyone can learn. For twenty years Paul conducted fly fishing schools at PJ's Lodge and hosted such fly fishing gurus as Dave Whitlock and Lefty Kreh. The lodge was one of the first to be Orvis endorsed and as a public service he taught the handicapped how to cast and catch trout. Anglers agree, "If you know what their food source is you can catch them." Casting, mending a line to get a dead drift and proper presentation are all important elements in learning how to fly fish. Paul also teaches stream entomology and fly selection to insure his students a successful outing......... like the fly fishermen below who have all been tutored by Paul.
2011- 2012 Fall and Winter Classes
Classes held in October through Christmas will be "Learning how to fly fish". Classes held in January, 2012 through March, 2012 will be "Learning how to tie flies that catch fish.", and "How to build your own fly rod and save."
Dates and Times will be posted soon