Workshops at the Gulf Coast Classic offer hands-on learning opportunities that can accelerate your learning, or teach new techniques or applications that will advance your fly tying, fly casting, or fly fishing skills. Our workshops are led by some of the top instructors, regionally and nationally. Some are free, others have a lower fee compared to commercial classes.
General: Before registering for any workshop, check the recommended skill level. Most classes require an additional fee beyond event registration. To insure quality instruction, class sizes are limited. Register early as classes often fill in advance. If a class is canceled, you will be notified in advance and receive a refund.
All workshops are 1.5 to 2 hours long.
Casting Classes: Some rods & reels are available for instructional use, but it’s preferred that you bring your own.
Fly Tying Classes: Bring your own lamp, vise, tools & tying thread. Some tools are available for beginning tying sessions. Materials will be provided. All classes are indoors.
Please read the descriptions below prior to registering, as a limited description is provided on the registration site.
Workshop Schedule
| Date/Time | Class | Instructor | Level | Fee | Max |
| Friday | |||||
| 10:00am | Tying Cicada Patterns | Troy Basso | Intermediate | $40 | 8 |
| 10:00am | Casting Basics | Beginner | Free | 8 | |
| 1:00pm | Tying Whitlock's NearNuff Crayfish | Allen Rupp | Intermediate | $50 | 10 |
| 2:00pm | Casting Basics | Beginner | Free | 8 | |
| 2:00pm | Best Casting Styles for Fishing Situations | Keith Richard, MCI | Intermediate | $50 | 5 |
| 3:00pm | Intermediate/Advanced Deer Hair Techniques | Jeff Rowley | Intermediate | $40 | 10 |
| Saturday | |||||
| 9:00am | Tying: Building Better Baitfish | Matt Bennett | Intermediate | $35 | 10 |
| 9:00am | Fly Fishing 101 + Casting Basics | Beginner | Free | 8 | |
| 10:00am | Casting: Understanding the Double Haul | Jeff Ferguson, MCI | Intermediate | $40 | 6 |
| 1:00pm | Advanced Streamer Fly Tying Techniques | Allen Rupp | Intermediate | $50 | 10 |
| 1:00pm | Casting Basics | Beginner | Free | 8 | |
Workshop Descriptions
|
Tying Cicada Patterns |
Instructor Troy Basso is a professional fly tyer whose articles as an outdoor writer have been featured in numerous magazines. While many cicadas are annual, 2024 promises an epic hatch of periodicals that will have every fish looking for an easy meal! The instructor ties a variety of cicada patterns including the Stones River Cicada which he developed 17 years ago. Students will learn how to tie this pattern, plus three (3) variants. |
| Tying the Whitlock NearNuff Crayfish |
Instructor Allen Rupp is a professional tier with a 35 year history of fly fishing across the globe. The legendary Dave Whitlock bestowed Allen with quite an honor: he invited him to spend time with him learning how to correctly tie his flies so that the knowledge could be passed on when Dave was gone. This class offers a hands-on experience that aims to provide participants with the skills to expertly tie and fish Dave Whitlock's famous NearNuff Crayfish fly. You will learn how and why Dave tied this fly and what materials he used, and when and where the NearNuff Crayfish fly pattern can be most effectively fished (it's surprisingly a good redfish fly as well). All tying materials will be provided and additionally, each student will receive one NearNuff Crayfish personally tied by Allen Rupp to take home as a reference, plus a bottle of Zap-A Gap to keep. Students will need to bring their own tying tools: vise, small file or emery board, bobbin, scissors, small flat nose pliers, bodkin, Velcro dubbing brush, and rotating hackle pliers. |
| Casting Basics |
In this class, FFI Certified Casting Instructors will teach the basics of fly casting with attention to casting fundamentals, the Overhead Cast (PULD), the Roll Cast, False Casting, basic line management including stripping and shooting line, and self-diagnostics. Bring your own equipment if you have it, otherwise equipment will be provided for use during the class. Limited to 10 students. |
| Intermediate/Advanced Techniques for Deer Hair |
Instructor Jeff Rowley is one of the nation's top fly tiers appearing at many of the large shows. While he ties a variety of great fish-catching flies, his deer hair bugs are works of art and have been featured in several magazines. This class will be a tying demo, for intermediate or advanced tiers, demonstrating various techniques and tips to improving deer hair flies. |
| Best Casting Styles for Fishing Situations |
Instructor Keith Richard is a nationally-recognized and awarded FFI Master Casting Instructor, and has presented casting programs at local, regional and national level for the past 15 years. In this intermediate-level class, we will review some of the common Casting Styles of North America covering some of their pros and cons followed by practice time for the remaining session on the casting lawn. Class is limited to 5 students to assure a high level of individual attention. |
| Building Better Baitfish |
Instructor Matt Bennett is owner of Fly Geeks Custom Flies, a member of several tying-related pro staffs, and 2015 recipient of the FFI Charles Brooks award . His signature pattern, The Lunch Money, has been one of Umpqua's hottest selling flies, and kicked off a flurry of baitfish variations. In this class, Matt will demonstrate the Lunch Money & Craft Fur Baitfish, as well as discussion on other pattern templates and materials to build a solid foundation in baitfish flies for both fresh and salt water. |
| Fly Fishing 101 + Casting Basics |
A 2-hour, 2-part workshop. In the first part (classroom), learn the basics of fly fishing including: terminology, tackle, knots, leaders, and the techniques of fishing with flies. The class will then go to the Casting Lawn for the second part, "Casting Basics". There is no need to sign up for Casting Basics workshop if you sign up for this workshop. |
| Understanding the Double Haul |
Instructor Jeff Ferguson is a nationally-recognized and awarded FFI Master Certified Casting Instructor with many years of teaching and instructing both beginners and advanced students. In this class, students will get a greater understanding and improvement on the double haul. The double haul is not just for distance - with it you can fish longer, better handle wind, and spend less time false casting. We will explore how and when to haul to get the most from an efficient haul. |
|
Advanced Streamer Fly Tying Techniques |
Instructor Allen Rupp is a professional tier with a 35 year history of fly fishing across the globe. His business Fly On The Water reflects his passion for fly tying and his vast interest in a wide range of waters and species. This class is designed for novice or intermediate fly tyers who hope to take their skills to the next level. Students will leave knowing they were taught the proper techniques for tailing, collaring, dumbbell eyes, bead chain eyes and so much more. Learning how to properly tie your own flies is gratifying; reinforcing them so they are durable and can withstand strike after strike saves money and earns bragging rights. Please note that this is not a beginner fly tying class. Students must bring their own fly-tying vise, scissors, bodkin, bobbin, and mono nippers. All attendees will receive a bottle of Brush-on Zap-a-Gap, all hooks and other materials will be provided. |