2023 Dates announced
Spring Course May 5-7 , May 12-14 2023
Spots are limited!!!
"As a relatively new angler (entering my fourth year) and having a vision of first taking friends and then perhaps clients down the Bow, this course was invaluable. My objective was first to learn how to safely and effectively navigate a drift boat. With the classroom and hands-on river experience, I can confidently say that I can now do that. The group's openness was amazing; an immediate camaraderie between the instructors and the student made the learning environment very effectively. There were no egos or attitudes; we were all there on a learning journey, regardless of one's experience or abilities. The instructors' introduction videos were also a unique way of getting the students to articulate what they wanted to get out of the school. The exit interviews also confirmed that they had reached their individual goals. If you have aspirations of being a professional guide or are looking to reduce the learning curve of how to navigate a drift boat safely, this is the opportunity you've been looking for. Thank you to Dana, Quinn, Tim, and Troy for helping me advance my personal journey, and I've made some close friendships along the way, which is always a bonus."
"If you are considering taking a guide school close up the Googler because your search is over. You will not find a better and more knowledgeable group of guys to learn the craft of guiding from than at the Western Canada Fly Fishing Guide School."
"I just recently took western Canada fly fishing guide school. I had the time of my life whether you're just trying to figure out what it would be like to guide, Or maybe you're looking for the next step of your fishing career. I've never had a guiding experience in my life and was looking for some direction in which way I want to go. I can't say how much this course helped me in answering my questions. You can learn by just asking questions, but it's better to experience it first hand. The crew is amazing and they have many different ways to teach you. They have lots of instructors with different experiences and they really can help you. If you're willing to let your pride go and just learn. They have lots to share, teach and show. I would gladly recommend this course to anyone that is looking to go to the next level or gain the experience for direction."
"I took Western Canada Fly Fishing Guide School and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had. They are a very knowledgable and friendly group of instructors that truly help you develop your skills and understanding of the watersheds . They are awesome guides and good people that will make your day great! I can't say enough good things about them!"
Spring Class 2022
Spring 2021
FALL 2020
SPRING 2020
SPRING 2019
Our philosophy :
A Professional Guide is a professional at all times; they are mentally alert and physically prepared for a strenuous day of guiding. Their self-confidence can be observed but not heard; they are totally prepared for the day and ready to accept its challenges—good or bad. Their appearance and dress show pride in themselves and the operation they represent. They immediately become a teacher to their clients and the client readily accepts their leadership. We understand that what makes us successful is our strong work ethic, our patience, and the desire to LOVE on people.
Have you always wondered it what it takes to become a professional fishing guide? You are not the only one. We field this question on a daily basis, and seeing such a high demand for it, we have created Western Canada Fly Fishing Guide School. After spending 2018 beta testing our course with another group, and having great success with the students, we are excited to offer our school bi-annually. We are have graduated over 45 students from this class since it's inception .
Understanding that there is a high demand for people curious about what it takes to become a fly fishing guide, we have curated this course that will give you the most insight, and equip you with preparedness to start your journey off on the right foot.
Guiding can be a lucrative career, but it comes with some very heavy demands, and it's not for everyone. We want you to know that becoming a guide doesn't require the best of fly fisher(people) it requires the best of People, with a diverse toolbox of skills, ready to to be used every single day. At WC Fly Fishing Guide School, we will help you develop your "Guides Toolbox", unique to you as a person, not just turning you into a fly fishing guide "mold" . We want to make guiding easier for you, and the way to do that is to prepare you in the most diverse situations we can re-create. With our years of experience in the guiding industry, we are fully equipped to pass on this knowledge to our students!
We pride ourself in maintaining our 2:1 students to instructor ratio, unlike many other outfits, we like to keep our class sizes smaller, so our students can get the most out of their 6 days with us. On the 6th day of the school, you will have a pseudo guided trip, with a client of Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters, as well as an instructor with WC Fly Fishing Guide School.
Understanding that there is a high demand for people curious about what it takes to become a fly fishing guide, we have curated this course that will give you the most insight, and equip you with preparedness to start your journey off on the right foot.
Guiding can be a lucrative career, but it comes with some very heavy demands, and it's not for everyone. We want you to know that becoming a guide doesn't require the best of fly fisher(people) it requires the best of People, with a diverse toolbox of skills, ready to to be used every single day. At WC Fly Fishing Guide School, we will help you develop your "Guides Toolbox", unique to you as a person, not just turning you into a fly fishing guide "mold" . We want to make guiding easier for you, and the way to do that is to prepare you in the most diverse situations we can re-create. With our years of experience in the guiding industry, we are fully equipped to pass on this knowledge to our students!
We pride ourself in maintaining our 2:1 students to instructor ratio, unlike many other outfits, we like to keep our class sizes smaller, so our students can get the most out of their 6 days with us. On the 6th day of the school, you will have a pseudo guided trip, with a client of Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters, as well as an instructor with WC Fly Fishing Guide School.
Spring 2021
Fall Class of 2020
Class of 2020 Spring
Class of 2019
Who is this course for?
- Men and Women who are wanting to learn more about the guide industry and potentially make this a career and have a head start when applying to outfitters or lodges
- Men and Women who are wanting to start a career in outfitting / guiding
- Men and Women who already guide, but want to hone and refine their skills with other like minded people
What should you expect from guide school:
- 6 days ~ 60-70 hours
- Access to Industry leaders with over 50 years outfitting/ guiding
- 10%-15% classroom time
- 85%-90% on the water
- Fly Fishing Aptitude
- Knot Tying
- Entomology and fish feeding habits
- Boat handling on a river ( rowing / Safety / Knowledge / SPEED)
- Swift Water Rescue, and river safety
- Boat handling for different styles of fishing
- General Guiding Competence, and Skills to be confident to take clients on the river
- The ability to teach each skill set to your clients, to give them the needed skill set for making the day on the water one to remember ( from casting to catching more fish )
- Fly Fishing Photography ( Fish First)
- Social Media In the industry( ethics, professional code of conduct, leveraging)
- Marketing your self in the industry
- The business of guiding / outfitting
- An inside look at how the industry works ( fly shop, outfitters, code of conduct, dealing with other industry professionals)
- Guiding from a Drift Boat
- Walk n wade strategies, and safety
- How to prepare for and handle overnight guided camping/ fishing trips
- Proficiency trailering / launching a boat ( understanding maintenance with boat trailers)
- and much more...
What's included in your Tuition?
- 6 days 60-70 hours of Instruction
- Transportation to and from the River
- River Shuttles
- Drift boats are provided
- Lunch Every day
- Course Materials
- Certificate of Completion
- Alberta Fishing Licence
- Accommodations or Food ( beyond what is stated above)
- Travel to Calgary, Alberta
- Personal Fly Fishing gear
FULL 2019 FLY FISHING GUIDE SCHOOL DATES
Guide School #1 Dates
6 days
Friday-Saturday-Sunday May 31-June 2nd
&
Friday-Saturday-Sunday June 7th-9th
2020 WESTERN CANADA FLY FISHING GUIDE SCHOOL DATES
6 days each
Due to the High volume of inquiries, 30% deposit will be required to hold your spot in your class
Class #1 $2499 cad + gst. FULL
6 days
April 17-19th / Friday - Sunday
April 24-26th / Friday - Sunday
Class #2 $2499 cad + gst FULL
6 days
September 20-25 2020
Sunday-Friday
2021 WESTERN CANADA FLY FISHING GUIDE SCHOOL DATES
Class #1 $2499 cad + gst.
6 days ( Fiday - Sunday 2 weekends)
April 23-25 & April 30-May 2 FULL
Class #2 $2499 cad + gst Open FOR APPLICATIONS
6 days ( Sunday - Friday ) FULL
Sept 19th - 24th 2021
2022 WESTERN CANADA FLY FISHING GUIDE SCHOOL DATES:
SPRING CLASS
6 DAYS - MAY 13-15 & MAY 20-22
2023 WESTERN CANADA FLY FISHING GUIDE SCHOOL DATES:
SPRING CLASS $2499 cad + gst
6 DAYS - MAY 5-7 & MAY 12-14
** Spots Limited **
* If you need accommodations, we have a great rates set up at our preferred vendor, ask about this when booking *