Workshops at the Gulf Coast Classic offer unique learning opportunities that can accelerate your knowledge, 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. Most are hands-on classes, while a few are demonstration classes. Some are free, others have a nominal fee – less than most commercial classes.
Note: 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: If designated as hands-on, bring your own lamp, vise, tools & tying thread. Some tools are available for beginning tying sessions. Materials will be provided. All classes are indoors.
For a complete list of workshops, or to sign up for any of them, click on the link below.
CLICK HERE to sign up for workshops, or get details on each.
Details on each workshop are also listed below.
Please check our Facebook page or Instagram page for even more info on our instructors and workshops.
2026 Workshops
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Spey Casting Instructor: Tom Dempsey
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Spey casting is a dynamic fly-casting style that eliminates the need for a traditional backcast, making it ideal for fishing in tight spaces with obstructions like trees or high banks behind you Originally developed in Scotland on the River Spey, it relies on the weight of the line and water resistance to load the rod and propel the fly across the river. This fly casting workshop will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at 12:30 pm on the water, and casting instruction will be hands-on with Tom Dempsey. Attendance is limited to 8 students. SPEY CASTING EQUIPMENT WILL BE PROVIDED! |
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Bennett’s Big 3 – Lunch Money, Carp-It Bomb, Rio Getter Instructor: Matt Bennett
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These are my "big three" warmwater patterns for Central Texas that you can tweak and modify for just about anywhere, and for any species. While mainly designed for bass, panfish, carp and Rio Grande Cichlids, these patterns have been fished all over the world for many other species with success also. We’ll discuss these 3 simple base patterns and tie some crossover variations and color combos that will work well in both fresh and saltwater. This fly tying workshop will be held on Friday, May 1st at 12:30 pm in the Triple C venue on the Learning Center grounds. Attendance is limited to 10. Please bring your personal tying vise and tools. Materials will be provided. |
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Tying Classic Saltwater Patterns Favored by Lefty Kreh Instructor: Adam Hortenberry
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Discover the art of tying timeless saltwater flies in this hands-on class inspired by the legendary Lefty Kreh. Perfect for beginners and experienced tyers alike, this session explores classic patterns and modern twists using today’s materials. We’ll focus on three essential saltwater patterns: • Bonefish Special – created by Chico Fernandez You’ll learn step-by-step techniques, material substitutions, and creative updates that help keep these historic patterns both effective and exciting on the water. This fly tying workshop will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at 9:00 am in the Triple C venue on the Learning Center grounds. Attendance is limited to 10. Please bring your personal tying vise and tools. Materials will be provided. |
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Anatomy of a Deer Hair Popper Instructor: Jeff Rowley
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A deer hair popper is a durable, buoyant topwater fly constructed by spinning and stacking deer hair on a hook shank—often a size 1/0–6 streamer hook—and trimming it into a shaped head. Key components include a rear tail (marabou, hackle, or bucktail), a dense, trimmed deer hair body for flotation, a cupped or angled face for splashing, and optional rubber legs. This is a demonstration tying workshop, so no tools required. The instructor will go into detail of each step in the process of creating various deer hair poppers. The clinic will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at 12:30 pm in the Triple C venue on the Learning Center grounds. Attendance is limited to 20. |
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Semper Fleye: Materials, Methods, & Why It Works Instructor: Alan Rupp
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The Semper Fleye is one of the most effective baitfish imitations in fly fishing — but tying one that actually fishes starts with understanding the materials and techniques behind it. In this 90-minute hands-on workshop, you’ll tie the fly yourself while Allen Rupp guides you through Bob Popovics’ iconic pattern, explaining not just what goes into the fly but why each material was chosen and what it does in the water. Class is limited to 10 students, all materials included. Bring your vise, bobbin, and scissors. This fly tying workshop will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at 9:00 am in the Loblolly venue on the Learning Center grounds. Attendance is limited to 10. Please bring your personal tying vise and tools. Materials will be provided. |
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Streamers Made Simple Instructor: Allen Rupp
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Big fish eat meat — and tying one that actually gets eaten starts with understanding what makes a streamer move, flash, and hold together through a brutal strike. In this 90-minute hands-on workshop, Allen Rupp guides you through the techniques and material choices that separate flies that fish and last from flies that just look good in the box. Allen keeps a close eye on every student at the bench, stepping in to correct mistakes in real time so you leave with good habits instead of bad ones. Class is limited to 10 students, all materials included. Bring your vise, bobbin, and scissors. This fly tying workshop will be held on Friday, May 1st at 12:30 pm in the Loblolly venue on the Learning Center grounds. Attendance is limited to 10. Please bring your personal tying vise and tools. Materials will be provided. |
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Size Matters: Tying Predator Streamers Instructor: Steve Maldonado
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Steve Maldonado a Colorado native grew up in walking distance of the Arkansas River. Steve is a nationally recognized fly designer that has patterns with Umpqua Feather Merchants, a recognized speaker on fishing streamers as well as a world class caster. Steve has put-on fly-tying presentations and teaching demo's all over the US. His simple system approach to fishing streamers with his on the river tuning and applications, tips and techniques are second to none. This fly tying workshop will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at 10:30 pm in the Triple-C venue on the Learning Center grounds. Attendance is limited to 12. Please bring your personal tying vise and tools. Materials will be provided. |
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Inshore Flies for Redish and Tarpon Instructor: Mack Bryson
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Similar to last year, Mack will demonstrate some of his favorite flies for redfish, tarpon, and trout. We’ll discuss when to use them and how to fish the flies to be most effective. This fly fishing and flies to use workshop will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at 10:30 am in the Loblolly venue on the Learning Center grounds. Open seating on a first come basis. |
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Tying Buz Buszek’s Western Coachman Instructor: Tom Logan
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The Western Coachman is a signature pattern that was developed and marketed by Buz Buszek who is the namesake of the “FFI Buz Buszek Memorial Fly Tying Award”. This free seminar will discuss history of the Coachman series and Western Coachman and demonstrate the materials used and tying methods for this versatile fly pattern. The biological relevance and presentation methods will also be discussed for the pattern. This FREE fly tying workshop will be held on Friday, May 1st at 10:00 am in the Loblolly venue on the Learning Center grounds. Attendance is limited to 10. |
