August. 14-21, 2016 Fernie Fly Fishing Purpose: Students dive deep into the world of fly-fishing through integrative studies led by some of the best teachers, guides, and business owners in the industry. Studies flow between fly fishing skills, rowing, entomology, conservation, sustainability, and writing. Students learn how to read the river as anglers, boatmen, and interpretive thinkers. Course Description: Based out of Fernie, BC, Canada on the lush Elk River and throughout it s many tributaries students learn fly-casting, knot tying, entomology, and reading water. They participate in conservation efforts with the Elk River Alliance and British Columbia's Wild Sight Foundation. Visiting mine sites and affected mining areas students learn about the impacts and balance between industry and recreation. Daily backpacking into world class tributaries students delve more into the impacts of invasive plant, wildlife and human impacts while integrating their fly fishing skills within some of the best fishing waters of Canada. Gaining a life long perspective of environmental and sustainable development students give back to the local community while gaining writing skills and service work hours for college entry. A world class Sustainable Development Student Program that has been operational for over 6 years reaching from Honduras to Colorado and now proudly being offered in Fernie, BC, Canada. Sustainable Development Student Program Course Schedule
Course Outline Date Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 MORNING (6:00am-9:00am) Environmental impact studies / Volunteer with Elk River Alliance Volunteer with Elk River Alliance Wildsight Conservation Hike into the Wigwam Wilderness Conservacy - Conservation work with Wildsight Tour / Volunteer with the Kootenay Trout Hatchery Whitewater Raft the lower Elk River to Lake Kookanusa Meet with local fly shop owners Float the Elk River MID-DAY (10:00am-2:00pm) Arrive at Kalispell Airport and Drive to lodge in Fernie, BC Environmental impact studies / Volunteer with Elk River Alliance Visit one of many local mines: Discussion: mining impacts Fish/Float / Tagging/ Fish Studies / Garbage Colleciton Invasive Plants / Species affecting local rivers Reading and Writing the River exercise: Visit the Bull River Dam - effects of damming river systems Whitewater Raft the lower Elk River - Tourism vs Industrialism Float to take out, drive to airport AFTERNOON (3:00pm-6:00pm) Introduction to fly fishing: casting, knots, flies, reading water Eco Float the Elk River with local River biologist / Fly Fish / Garbage Collection Fish Rivers around mines Fish/Float Dry fly fishing extravaganza Fish Bull River Fish the Lower Elk River Fly home EVENING (7:00pm-9:pm) Journal Writing and Blog Post: First impressions, goals, hopes Journal Writing Blog Post: Journal Writing Blog Post: Balance between industry and fly fishing Journal/Blog: Fishing Story: Metaphors Journal Writing and Blog Post: What is sustainability? Journal/ Blog Post Journa/ Blog Post: Diversity Journal/ Blog Post
Course Instructors: Beckie Clarke Owner of Fernie Fly Fishing Beckie Clarke has always lived a life of adventure. Her commitment to conservation and education is unmatched. Beckie attended the College of the Rockies, taking Adventure Tourism Business Operations as well as attending a Wilderness Guiding Skills Program from the Northwest Community College. She has managed fly shops, guided for 15 years, managed hotels, backcountry lodges and teaches fly fishing courses in her hometown of Fernie. Beckie has been featured in numerous magazines, fly fishing videos and TV shows, but it is the deep connection she shares while on the water that keeps her grounded and profoundly grateful for her place in the sport of fly fishing. Steven Calaway Brown Steven owns and operates Fly Fish Guanaja in Honduras and Emerald Water Anglers Colorado. He graduated from Colorado College and earned a Masters in English at Colorado State University. Steven developed and taught Reading and Writing the River through Fly-fishing, Boating and Backpacking in the Colorado College summer program and also took groups of students to Honduras for the same program. Fly Fish Guanaja has been hosting student programs in the Caribbean for the last 6 years. Steven has been teaching, guiding, and writing for over 15 years and brings deep experience to the Colorado Fly-fishing School Local Fly Fishing Guides: We have an amazing team of guides that will be guiding students throughout the week on the local waters, all guides are certified, licensed and have many years of experience. Cost per student: $2950 week / August. 14-21, 2016 / 6 Students Minimum Cost includes lodging, guides, all meals and drinks, basic and classified waters license use of rods, reels, flies, transportation to and from airport.
Fernie, B.C. - a famous Canadian Rockies adventure destination...with so much more to offer. From the jagged peaks of the Lizard Range to the unique character of Mount Hosmer, the towering mountains surrounding Fernie offer a sharp contrast to the quaint coal mining and ski town nestled below. Visitors to Fernie often describe their Fernie experience as authentic. Perhaps it s our century-old downtown and rich history. Perhaps it s our pristine natural environment. Or maybe it s our friendly, down-to-earth community. Visitors would say it s all three, really. Because we work hard, we play hard too What is Fernie? Cool, small-town charm: Fernie s funky main street with its turn-of-the-century brick buildings framed by post card-perfect mountains provides this rugged and unpolished little town with a unique charm. Mountain culture: From the pick-up trucks and mountain bikes that travel its streets, to the ski bums and guide shops that line them, Fernie s distinct mountain culture is evident at almost every turn. Stunning scenery: Fernie is a magnificent outdoor setting from which to experience the beauty and majesty of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Authentic and real: Fernie is a casual, comfortable, and laid-back place where a local community still thrives. A community first, destination second, Fernie is not a packaged experience for the mass tourist. Adventurous and outdoorsy: Fernie is a place where adventure seekers, mountain enthusiasts, and outdoor recreationalists of all kinds come to experience the stunning natural surroundings and range of outdoor activities. Euphoric: Fernie is an escape from the hurried pace of every day life. It provides euphoric experiences to its visitors and residents through unique moments of anticipation, achievement and the beauty of its natural surroundings. Down-to-earth: Fernie s people are humble, honest, natural, and welcoming with a resiliency that stems from their hard-working roots. Fernie is a city in the Elk Valley area of the East Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, Canada, located on BC Highway 3 on the eastern approaches to the Crowsnest Pass through the Rocky Mountains. Founded in 1898, Fernie lies on the Elk River, along Canada's southernmost east-west transportation corridor through the Rockies that crosses the range via the Crowsnest Pass.
Fishing Stretching 220km long, the Elk River originates from the Elk Lakes near the Continental divide. It meanders, twists and turns through the Elk Valley visiting the small communities of Elkford, Sparwood, Hosmer, Fernie and Elko. The Elk River is a classic free stone river; boasting big fish and breathtaking views. Known to many as one of the worlds most premier dry fly fisheries; you can t beat greedy cutthroat trout aiming to tease and please any angler. Filled with deep pools and buckets, under cut banks, sweet foam lines, big chunky rocks, log jams, dancing riffles, grassy banks and an array of back channels the Elk River offers a variety of angling adventure either walk and wading or drift boat fishing. There is no doubt about it; the Cutthroat trout in the Elk River and the Elk River Tributaries are big, beautiful and well deserving of the attention they get with vibrant high coloured backs, full deep bellies and average between 14-16 inches. It is not uncommon to hook into above average cutties that have been know to tape in above 20 inches. Accommodation - Elk River Lodge If you're looking for a real Rocky Mountain experience in a historic ranch with privacy, world class dry fly fishing at your doorstep, abundant wildlife, and all the comforts of home, you've found it. Built in 1906, Elk River Lodge is custom furnished with 10 beds, a magazine quality kitchen, hot tub, outdoor grill, luxurious beds, and views from every room. Ideal for family gatherings, world class skiing and dry fly fishing, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, the lodge feels as though its in a national park that's all yours Herds of elk and deer graze across the meadows each day. A beautiful spring creek flows next to the deck. Bring your horses, fly rods, camera and hiking boots. The only footprints your likely to see are your own. There's a large wood stove in the great room with plenty of cut firewood at your disposal and a fire pit outside for roasting marshmallows while listening to the elk bugle. The lodge is ideally located to take day trips to the surrounding national parks including Banff, Waterton and Glacier, as well as the provincial parks including Elk Lakes and Height of the Rockies. Elk River Lodge provides the ultimate way to experience the splendor of the Canadian Rockies, the way Montana used to be 100 years ago, only better.