Welcome Aspiring Anglers!

NWCTU has been teaching Fly Fishing for several years. Our course is affordable, requires no special skills, welcome to everyone over the age of 12, and is held on weekday evenings over the course of six weeks. Classes are held near Peoples State Forest, in Barkhamsted, CT on the Farmington River. We use this public park because the area is clean, the lawn is cared for, and restrooms are available. The Farmington River is nearby so we can point out strategic areas and use the river to teach. 

Our Next Class – Dates:  4/15/25, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/22  2026

Youth can learn for 1/2 price. That’s right! Any youngster that is yours (12-18) will be eligible for the class as long as there’s mom or dad there with them, however only at a 1:1 ratio. Got two kids? We’ll need two adults, otherwise one pays the full price.   $125 for an adult, $70 for a youth with adult.

You must pre-register.   We cannot admit folks who show up at the door without going through the registration process first.  Walk ins will be charged $175 at the door if space is still available.

Students Receive

• A Cortland Fairplay 8ft 5wt Medium – Action Fly Rod and Reel, preloaded with backing and a weight-forward floating fly-line ($99.95 Value)

• A set of tools including high-strength nippers for cutting tippets, a set of hemostats for tightening knots, safely removing hooks from a fish’s mouth, selecting really small flies from your fly-box, and assisting you in tying knots. A “zinger” keeps a tool on a short leash. The leather-looking thing is a line cleaner/straightener. A $29.95 value.

• 55 feet of assorted tippet material -practice tying knots used in fly-fishing ($10 value)

• One Handmade Practice Leader ($4.99 value)

• Our instructors  are trained and experienced anglers, some with many decades of experience.

• Fly fishing is a low impact physical activity that connects you with nature. 

• Fly casting has been proven to help in rebuilding muscle tone, which is why it’s used in hospitals and care centers worldwide, and used by organizations such as “Project Healing Waters” (disabled veterans) and “Casting For Recovery” (breast cancer survivors) both of which we (NWCTU) are involved in.

• Fly fishing is a unisex sport. There are no prejudices, it is an equal-opportunity sport and a chance to learn something about nature every time you go. Thinking of having your kids in the class with you? Our minimum age is 12. Parental supervision under 16. Our class is fast-paced. As soon as everyone is at the same pace we either begin practice or move on to the next subject.

What to Bring

Class Registration and Payments

The cost of the class is $125 for adults and $70 for a youth with an adult. 

Please go to Calendar of Events to order tickets.