Fly fishing schools

Fly-fishing Schools

Group and private schools in the classroom and on the stream. Casting instruction and masterclasses.

Teaching Philosophy

A teacher should exist for his or her students. The role of a teacher is as a conduit for knowledge. I use multiple techniques of explanation to break down difficult concepts and make them easy to understand and begin to master. Every individual learns differently and at a different pace. Some are visual learners, others learn by doing. I have taught thousands of beginners and anglers of all levels and have a patient and inspirational approach. Learning should not be a bland academic experience, but instead should be filled with fun. After all, the sport of fly-fishing is not calculus! My job as a teacher is to be effective in my instruction and certain that no one is left behind.

I have taught clinics for Trout Unlimited, local chapters of the FFF, private instruction on the water, Orvis introductory courses as well as the Orvis corporate school programs. I have been teaching fly-fishing for over 15 years, especially the art of fly-casting. At an event where I had to teach 100 children between ages 5 and 15, one TU luminary remarked afterwards that “I have never seen anyone that is better at getting someone who has never held a fly-rod to cast 30 feet in just fifteen minutes!” Experience counts, and my passion for teaching and the joy I get out of seeing the students absorb knowledge will show.

Back for the 9th year! 2026

Fly-Casting Master Classes available this spring in the driftless area in Wisconsin with Erik Helm of Classical Angler! $100 dollars per student. Beginners, intermediate, and advanced casters are welcome! April 9th, 10th, 11th, 16th, 17th, 18th. Noon until 3 pm.

What does $100 buy these days? Not too much... except if you invest this fee into improving your fly-casting. That is money well spent! What if you could take that $100 and by taking a master class, optimize your time on the water and learn what you never knew existed? Well... here it is! Come for the casting master class, and use those new skills on the water! Land more fish and less bank side bushes and trees! Better than spending $1000 on a new fly rod marketed to "Improve your casting."

The curriculum focuses on both basics, which are the most essential, and advanced casting, building with each segment upon what you have just learned. I emphasize efficiency in the casting stroke. You will learn: grip, line control positive stopping, faults, false casting, shooting line, the roll cast, steeple cast, side-arm cast, and working in tight spots.

The class is held in the lovely park here in Soldiers Grove Wisconsin. Class limited to adults and children 12 years and older, and limited to 3-4 students each day. The small class size allows me to give personal instruction, and take extensive time with each of you.

How would you like to be able to cast in super-tight situations? Roll-cast 50 feet? Change directions in your cast? Avoid trees and bankside brush? Here in the Driftless our streams are often choked with brush, and the big trout love the cover! Solve problems on the stream by not by-passing holding water for more open casting areas, but get your fly where it needs to be! Reach mend, steeple cast, roll cast, learn the Belgian cast, form open and tight loops as the situation demands?

I have 4 loaner fly-rods that are set up for the classes. You should bring your own if possible, since that is what you will be fishing with and casting on your own. You may borrow my rods to cast during the class, just let me know if you need rods.

Bring a hat with a brim and eye protection such as glasses or sunglasses. Also, weather in April is fickle, dress in layers. It may rain, snow, sleet, or be beautiful and sunny! Fishing conditions!

Where exactly is it?

The classes will be held in Soldiers Grove Wisconsin in the Heart of the Driftless. The classes are in the park by the large Gazebo, located at the junction of state hwy 131 and county highway C. Please park across from the gazebo in the parking lot.

Payment:

The cost is $100 each student payable at the class in cash or check at the time of the class.

I have to fill the class in order to hold it, so 3-4 people need to sign up. All for $100 each. These classes fill up fast, so plan ahead and RSVP as soon as possible to reserve a spot!

Learn new skills and then go apply them on the weekend here in the Driftless where we have over 1000 miles of spring creek trout fishing.

If you are interested, reach me by Erik.helm1@gmail.com or through classicalangler.com

Testimonial from a few years back:

"Erik is quite good at explaining the "why's & wherefore's" of casting, why different casts may be needed, and
because of his small class size he had opportunity to work with each of us pretty extensively. He said yesterday we likely saved 4-5 years over trying to figure this stuff out on our own, and I firmly believe him. I was throwing some pretty tight loops with accuracy today..." Tom Vezain