Cabela's Retail Centers Offering Fly Fishing Instruction

Florida fly fishermen are no doubt familiar with the Cabela's catalogues, even though our state does not have one of the retail centers. Still, some of our out-of-state Members are bound to live near a Cabela's store, and if that's the case, you've an opportunity to polish up your casting skills before your next Florida adventure. We noted recently that Orvis retailers, of which there are a few in Florida, are offering free fly clinics this spring. We thought it worth relaying that Cabela's has a similar program. Details are printed below. 

--Jeff Weakley, Editor

 

From Press Release

Cabela's Incorporated, the World's Foremost Outfitter(r) of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, along with the Federation of Fly Fishers, announced today plans to offer industry-leading instruction for beginning fly anglers at 13 Cabela's retail locations - and online - starting in May.

The new Cabela's Fly Fishing University will include in-store classes hosted by experienced Cabela's Outfitters, who will be trained by FFF instructors, as well as a series of online modules ranging in topics and depth. Those who enroll in either program will receive a free electronic FFF membership and other special offers. All classes are free.

In-store instruction will run every Saturday from May until August, covering equipment, basic insect information, casting and knot tying. Participating Cabela's retail locations include Boise, Idaho; Reno, Nev.; Billings, Mont.; Hamburg, Pa.; Dundee, Mich.; Scarborough, Maine; Grand Junction, Colo.; East Hartford, Conn.; Fort Worth, Texas; Lacey, Wash.; Lehi, Utah; Post Falls, Idaho; and Wheeling, W. Va.

The online modules are expected to launch this summer.

"This is the perfect way to learn the basics of a sport that leads to a lifetime of enjoyment," said Jeff Wagner, of Cabela's, who is a Mastered Certified Instructor and serves on the FFF board. "We hope this promotes fly fishing as a whole and ensures the stability of the sport for many generations to come."

For in-class instruction, participants may enroll in individual, one-hour courses - Beginners Fly Fishing or Beginners Fly Casting - or combine both for a total of two hours of instruction time each session. The Beginners Fly Fishing class will provide an introduction to the sport with a focus on basic techniques and skills. The Beginners Fly Casting course will emphasize the fundamentals of fly casting, including overhead techniques and roll casting.

Courses will be led by knowledgeable Cabela's Outfitters who have completed an intensive, all-encompassing 40-hour training class hosted by FFF instructors and Cabela's personnel, with an emphasis on teaching the sport.

The online modules will range from Beginners Fly Fishing to more detailed instruction about fly casting, flies and insect biology, leaders, tippet and backing, and fly line, rods and reels, among other topics.

Participants are encouraged to utilize both the retail and online options.

"There's a link between the retail classes and the online modules, and the instruction will be consistent," Wagner said. "If anglers go online and take the Beginners Fly Fishing module, they can then go to a Cabela's retail store and take Beginners Fly Casting. Or, if they take the Beginners Fly Casting course at a retail store, and want to learn more, they can go online and receive in-depth material."

For additional information, please contact your local Cabela's store, or click here.