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Nick Conklin and a young angler holding a rainbow trout during the TFO fly fishing school on the South Platte River in Lake George, Colorado

TFO Ambassadors Host Successful Fly Fishing School on Colorado’s South Platte

Earlier this summer, a team of TFO Ambassadors and Pro Staff hosted a three-day fly fishing school on the South Platte River near Lake George, Colorado. The event, organized and led by Jim and Janine Young, brought together anglers of all experience levels for hands-on learning and on-the-water instruction.

Throughout the weekend, participants rotated through a variety of workshops and clinics. TFO’s Nick Conklin led a casting clinic and streamer class, while Jim and Janine taught a Fly Fishing 101 session for new anglers. Jo Randall and Janine teamed up again to host a women’s clinic focused on casting and fishing techniques. Jason Randall rounded out the instruction with both a dry dropper program and a comprehensive euro nymphing class.

Instructor leading a classroom session during the TFO fly fishing school in Lake George, Colorado, with anglers listening to a presentation on trout fishing techniques

Indoor workshop on trout fishing techniques during the TFO fly fishing school in Lake George, Colorado. // Photo: Jo Randall

Instructor demonstrating a fly cast to a group of anglers during an on-the-water clinic at the TFO fly fishing school in Lake George, Colorado

Fly casting techniques during an on-the-water session at the TFO fly fishing school on the South Platte River in Lake George, Colorado. // Photo: Jo Randall

Group of anglers examining aquatic insects along the South Platte River during an entomology session at the TFO fly fishing school in Lake George, Colorado

Participants study stream entomology and insect identification along the South Platte River during the TFO fly fishing school. // Photo: Jo Randall

In total, 35 students attended the school, with some attending for the full three days and others participating à la carte. Each evening, anglers gathered for a casting competition during happy hour with plenty of TFO swag up for grabs.

“It was an amazing turnout,” said Jason Randall. “Teaching on the water is one of the most effective ways to learn, especially for the advanced techniques we often share.”

Anglers rigging up for the TFO Fly Fishing school

TFO’s Nick Conklin helps anglers get rigged up for a day of on the water instruction for the TFO Fly Fishing School.

Jason Randall instructing an angler on euro nymphing techniques while wading the South Platte River during the TFO fly fishing school in Lake George, Colorado

TFO Ambassador Jason Randall demonstrates euro nymphing techniques with a student during an on-the-water session on the South Platte River. // Photo: Jo Randall

Due to the success of this year’s event, two back-to-back schools are already planned for June next year in Lake George, open to the public. In addition, TFO will sponsor another school in the Driftless region focusing exclusively on euro nymphing.

Stay tuned for more details on these upcoming schools, and a big thanks to all who helped make this year’s event a success.

Young angler fighting a fish on the South Platte River during the TFO fly fishing school in Lake George, Colorado

Stay tuned for the next TFO Fly Fishing School. // Photo: Jo Randall

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