Endorsed
Location: Sportsmen's Paradise - Lake George, CO
Dates: June 5-7, 2026
Welcome to The Fly Fishing School at Sportsmen's Paradise, where learning, laughter, and community combine for a memberable weekend in our special valley.
Hosted on our home waters, this three-day Fly Fishing School is designed for anglers who want real instruction, real improvement, and real time on the water. You’ll dive into hands-on On-water sessions covering dry-dropper strategies, tailwater tactics, Basic and advanced Euro-nymphing techniques, fishing streamers in moving water, fly tying, specialty casting techniques, smart knots, and practical rigging. Our instructors break down each technique step-by-step so you can build a solid foundation and gain confidence in a variety of trout situations.
But this isn’t just about learning — it’s about enjoying great company, swapping stories, and hanging out with your fellow Sportsmen's Paradise anglers who love this sport as much as you do. Each day features a mix of expert-led instruction, relaxed social time, and hours of On-water coaching directly with the experts. Giving you the chance to immediately apply new skills and experiment with fresh approaches. Evenings bring time to unwind, compare notes, and plan the next morning’s strategy.
Plus, you get to pick and choose the sessions you want to attend. All of which are based on your requests following last years school.
Pack your curiosity, bring your enthusiasm, and get ready for three fun-filled days on the South Platte — this is fly fishing education at its best.
Fishing streamers in moving water
Techniques specific to the South Platte
Advanced casting techniques
Entomology - insects and flies to immitate them
Basic and advanced euronymphing techniques
Fish Sportsmen's Stillwaters
On-the-water application with real-time feedback
Specialty flies for the South Platte River
Traditional and euro dry/dropper techniques
(scroll right to see entire scedule)
-Fly Tying favorites for the South Platte with Pat Dorsey
-Euronymphing MasterClass with Jason Randall
-Fishing Streamers with Nick Conklin
-Pat Dorsey - Fishing Dries and Hoppers on the South Platte.
-Entomology - Insects and Flies to Imitate them
-Private Casting Instruction
-Happy Hour at the Pavillion
-Casting drills and competition
-Try out the latest TFO rods
-Landon Mayer - Vice to River - Fishing the Mayers mini-leech.
-Traditional Nymphing Techniques (all day session)
-Flyfishing 101
-Private Casting Instruction
-Landon Mayer - Vice to River - Fishing the Mayers mini-leech.
-Flyfishing SP's Lakes and Ponds.
-Understanding your gear.
Happy Hour at Jim & Janine Youngs - 396 N Vermillion
Help plan next years event!
Private Coaching
Private Casting Sessions
Hit the water on your own and try out your new skills!
Our instructors aren’t just teachers — they’re passionate anglers committed to your growth
Landon Mayer is one of Colorado’s most respected fly-fishing guides and educators, bringing more than two decades of professional guiding experience toThe Fly Fishing School. Based on the legendary waters of the South Platte River, Landon has built his reputation on the ability to help anglers sight, approach, and successfully fool some of the most selective trout in the West. His passion for teaching is matched only by his deep knowledge of trout behavior, technical presentation, and advanced tactics that consistently elevate anglers of every skill level.Landon is a nationally published author, sought-after speaker, and signature fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants. His books—Sight Fishing for Trout, 101 Trout Tips, and The Hunt for Giant Trout—have become essential reading for serious anglers. At TheFly Fishing School, Landon focuses on practical, on-the-water instruction that builds confidence, sharpens technique, and helps students unlock the thrill of targeting trophy-class trout.
Head Guide, Author & Fly Designer – The BlueQuill Angler
Few names are more synonymous with Colorado fly fishing than Pat Dorsey. With over 30years of guiding experience, Pat is co-owner and head guide at The Blue Quill Angler in Evergreen, Colorado, where he leads one of the most respected teams in the West. Pat spends more than 200 days each year on the water, helping anglers of all skill levels unlock the secrets of Colorado’s legendary tailwaters. Known for his technical expertise and approachable teaching style, he makes even complex tactics accessible and effective. A prolific author and fly designer, Pat has written Fly Fishing Tailwaters, Tying and Fishing Tailwater Flies, and Colorado Guide Flies. He also serves as Southwest Field Editor for Fly Fisherman Magazine. At The Fly Fishing School, Pat brings unmatched experience, passion, and precision to every lesson.
![[team] image of a chef team member (for a japanese restaurant)](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/689f54d043e1bea68c314201/6915419aaf5957b3e939e1bb_Pat-Dorsey-Fly-Fishing-Guide-and-Author-500x375.jpg)
Jason is a renowned fly-fishing author, instructor, and industry innovator who brings exceptional clarity and practical insight to The Fly Fishing School. A lifelong angler, his passion began on childhood trips with his father and grew under the guidance of early fly-fishing mentors. For more than two decades, Jason has helped anglers sharpen their skills through his widely published articles in American Angler, Fly Fisherman, Fly Tyer, and other leading magazines. He is the author of four highly regarded books—Moving Water, Feeding Time, Trout Sense, and Nymph Masters—each focused on understanding trout behavior and applying advanced, effective techniques on the water. As a member of the TFO National Advisory Team, Jason also helped design several groundbreaking rod series, including the Drift, Stealth, and award-winning Elevare euronymph rods. At The Fly Fishing School, Jason’s teaching blends deep expertise with clear, approachable coaching, giving every angler the tools to learn faster, fish smarter, and enjoy the water more.
![[team] image of a chef team member (for a japanese restaurant)](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/689f54d043e1bea68c314201/691fe0f74e0692f34926ef86_image004.jpg)
Nick Conklin brings a rare blend of hands-on angling experience, product-development expertise, and industry leadership to The Fly Fishing School. As the Fly Fishing Product Category Manager for Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO), Nick has spent more than a decade shaping some of the company’s most trusted fly rods, reels, and accessories. Since joining TFO in 2012, he has worked across operations, show management, and product design—giving him an unusually deep understanding of how high-performing gear is created and how anglers can get the most out of it on the water. The author of Fly Fishing Pressured Waters (Stackpole), Nick draws on a background rooted in Michigan’s trout and steelhead country, with experience spanning Great Lakes rivers, warm-water species, and coastal saltwater. His broad expertise, combined with his communication skills and passion for teaching, make him a natural fit for our instructional team. At The Fly Fishing School, Nick will be teaching casting, gear selection, and practical skills that help anglers fish more effectively and confidently.
![[team] image of a chef team member (for a japanese restaurant)](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/689f54d043e1bea68c314201/6917f4b95868ea551e60fa37_6916412919fe09c1e546435d_Nick-3.jpg)
![[team] image of a chef team member (for a japanese restaurant)](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/689f54d043e1bea68c314201/6925388afdc6dd38ead49529_691e2d5bf06fb329515202a6_IMG_1854-p-800.jpg)
Janine Young has spent more than 25 years immersed in the world of fly fishing, exploring rivers and lakes across the United States, New Zealand, and Patagonia. For her, time on the water is more than the pursuit of trout—it's an experience of connection, reflection, and shared joy. She believes the river carries stories, laughter, and the kind of stillness that allows you to breathe a little deeper.Janine sees fly fishing as a rhythm of cast and current, a blend of patience, timing, and surprise. The shimmer of a rising fish is part of the reward, but so are the voices beside her and the friendships strengthened one sunrise at a time. She loves helping others join in the experience, welcoming anglers into moments that build confidence, create memories, and deepen appreciation for the water. For Janine, teaching and sharing these experiences is what keeps her returning to the river again and again.
Jim Young is a lifelong outdoorsman whose passion for wild places shaped both his career and his calling. He spent more than two decades in continental conservation work, including 18 years with Ducks Unlimited in the U.S. and Canada, where he helped protect critical wetlands and wildlife habitat.For nearly 30 years, Jim’s greatest outdoor passion has been fly fishing—and sharing that passion with others. As a guide, instructor, and frequent speaker at fly-fishing events across the country, he saw firsthand that many anglers were eager for deeper, more hands-on instruction than traditional classes offered.That insight led Jim to found The Fly Fishing School, a program dedicated to elevating anglers through immersive, on-the-water learning. By assembling some of the nation’s finest instructors and guides, he created a place where anglers of all levels can grow their skills, build confidence, and experience fly fishing at its best.Today, Jim continues to lead with enthusiasm, hospitality, and a genuine love for teaching others the sport he cherishes.
![[team] image of a chef team member (for a japanese restaurant)](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/689f54d043e1bea68c314201/6930f9ddcb8e71ca0f3c920b_692f65381e8f853943643bd2_Jim-Alasaka.jpg)
Spots are limited to ensure small group instruction. Don’t miss your chance to learn from the best instructors right here on our home waters
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