Hunter Banks University

Hunter Banks University To enjoy fly fishing, you must know what you're doing. With this in mind, the Hunter Banks University offers a variety of classes to further your angling skills and provide you with more knowledge about the sport. Whether you're an absolute novice and need to know which end of the rod to hold or an intermediate angler that needs a casting tune-up, the Hunter Banks University offerings are designed with you in mind. Take a look at the exciting courses offered for 2009.

Fly Fishing 101: The Hunter Banks One Day School

Learn the special tricks and techniques required for successful fly fishing in our region. Our own staff will run the show this year, and you won't find more skillful anglers or instructors in any region of the country!

The venues remain the same as years past: the rustic but gorgeous "campus" of the Big Butte lodge or the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. Class starts at 9:00 a.m. with a morning session at the shop covering equipment, knots, and rigging. We'll adjourn to the lot for a preliminary casting lesson before lunch. During lunch, we will learn the knots required to rig your outfit, tie on flies, add droppers, mend leaders and generally be self-sufficient on-stream. The afternoon is then spentor on the Davidson River observing casting techniques and stream dynamics.

We start from the beginning - this is a class for beginners! But the goal is for students to leave capable of fending for themselves on-stream: rigging up, casting, fixing leaders, selecting flies -- and catching fish. This day of instruction could save a beginner months of frustration and failure and we highly recommend it to anyone considering this great sport.

Class dates are the choice of your group. Classes run from 9AM to 5PM with an hour break for lunch. Tuition, including books, is $200.00 and the school requires a minimum of 2 students. Please contact us to book your class early as our schedule fills quickly.

Fly Fishing 102: The Hunter Banks Weekend School

This school is an extension of our One Day School with a Full Day of Guided Fishing built-in. It will encompass all the hands-on instruction of our one day school and then have an additional day on the water.

Unlike the One Day School, the interaction between your instructor/guide will allow the two of you to get to know each other and allow him to help you on your weakpoints. Extra emphasis on stream dynamics, fly selection, mending, presentation, and casting will give the angler much more experience on the water than the typical One Day School will allow.

Class dates are the weekend choice of your group. Classes run from 9Am to 5PM on both Saturday and Sunday. Tuition is $350.00 and the school is limited to 3 students.

Fly Fishing 201: Private Instruction

This is one of our favorite things to do. The one angler - one guide ratio gives us the best oportunity to help the beginning angler or help refine the skills of the intermediate or advanced angler.

We customize the instruction to match your needs and the locations we can use are any of our wade trip locations. We can do a full day of private instruciton or a four hour day once a week. No matter what you're looking for, we'll be more than glad to come up with a package to fit what you have in mind.

Because of the nature of these events, pricing is made after an initial assessment of your goals. Generally speaking, an hour of instruction is $75, a half day of instruction is $250, and a full day of instruction is $350. Let us know what you need and we'll be glad to help.

Fly Tying 101: Shane Buckner’s Beginner Fly Tying Classes
These hands were made for tying: if he can do it, you can too!

Class is held every Wednesday from 6PM - 8PM during the dates below.

February 18, 2009 - March 25, 2009

Shane Buckner will be teaching the basics of fly tying. We will cover the two basic knots used for fly tying as well as 11 basic patterns that have proven to be deadly in Western North Carolina streams. Students will be given a syllabus with a materials list & the flies that we will tie.

If you are interested in learning to tie your own flies, then this is the course for you!

Tuition: $85.00, payment in full required to reserve a seat (limited to 6).
To reserve a spot, give us a call at 800-227-6732

Fly Tying 102: Shane Buckner's Smokey Mountain Fly Tying Class
Southern Appalachian Classics

Class is held every Wednesday from 6PM - 8PM during the dates below.

April 8, 2009 - May 13, 2009

Shane has been tying flies for 11 years now. If he had to tie one particular style of trout flies it would have to be the old Smokey Mountain flies. This class will cover some of the most beautiful flies the human eye has ever seen. Some of the flies covered will be the Hazel Creek, Adams Variant, Smokey Mountain Thunderhead, and Yellow May. These are just a few of what will be covered in this class. There are a lot of dry flies in this class which makes this class a little tougher. Tiers need to have some tying experience.

Tuition: $85.00, payment in full required to reserve a seat (limited to 6).
To reserve a spot, give us a call at 800-227-6732

Fly Tying 201: Private Fly Tying Instruction with Shane Buckner

Class is held from 6PM - 8PM one night a week for 6 weeks.

Shane has been tying flies for 11 years now. His favorite way to teach fly tying is to a group already interested in specific patterns or a few anglers that are ready to expand their involvement in the sport.

Tuition: $200.00 per person
Dates: Give us a call at 800-227-6732 to discuss the specifics of your private fly tying class.