North Carolina Fly-Fishing School
• Overview
• Seasonal/Weather/Fishing Conditions
• General School Information
• Cancellation Policy
• Class Program
o Two-Day
• Lodging
• Available Guides
Overview:
The North Carolina Fly-Fishing School is located in western North Carolina, on the famous
Biltmore Estate in Ashville. Nearby rivers include the French Broad, North Mills, and the
Davidson, one of the Trout Unlimited top 100 streams in America. While experiencing the great
fishing, anglers also enjoy the area’s awesome scenery and wildlife. The Biltmore Estate is 15
minutes from the Ashville Airport and 2 hours from Charlotte International Airport.
In addition to the great fly-fishing opportunities in the area, you may want to take advantage of
other activities while at the Biltmore: sporting clays, Segway tours, raft trips, bike rentals and
trails, horse-back riding, carriage rides, Land Rover driving school, and of course, tour the
Biltmore house. Activities can be arranged through the Biltmore Outdoor Center at (828) 225-
1425 or visit www.biltmore.com.
Seasonal Weather/Fishing Conditions:
April/May—High temperatures are in the upper 60s to low 80s, lows in the 30s.
June/July/August—High temperatures are in the mid 80s, lows in the mid 50s.
September—High temperatures are in the mid 70s, lows in the mid 40s.
October—High temperatures are in the 70s, lows in the 30s.
Weather conditions can change quickly. We recommend that you dress in layers, wear or bring a
pair of rubber-bottom boots (as the grounds around the casting areas can become damp), and
please remember to bring raingear, polarized sunglasses, hat, and sunblock.
General School Information:
We look forward to meeting you at The Biltmore Outdoor Adventure Center for registration at
9:00 a.m. on the first day. If you have any questions about this reservation, please feel free to
contact school reservations at 1-866-531-6213 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00
p.m. You may contact the Biltmore Outdoor Adventure Center directly by calling 828-225-
1425.
Equipment: The school staff will issue Orvis gear appropriate for the fishing conditions.
Capacities & Student/Instructor Ratio: The typical school capacity is 12 students, with the
student to instructor ratio never exceeding 4:1.
Program: Instruction is geared toward beginners, but students of all levels are welcome and
encouraged to progress at their own rate. Our teaching methods allow us to handle even
experienced fly casters. Indoor and outdoor sessions are evenly divided, with the main emphasis
placed on developing proper fly-casting skills. Our goal is to have students exit the program with
the ability to handle 30-plus-foot casts efficiently, have a thorough understanding of fly selection,
leaders, knot-tying, reading water, etiquette, and the applications and use of related gear and
equipment in both moving and still water. We also encourage an appreciation for fine tackle and
emphasize the importance of the catch-and-release ethic, a clean and healthy outdoor
environment, and the continued pursuit of quality fly-fishing experiences through the promotion
of our Orvis-Endorsed Lodge and Guide services.
Cancellation Policy:
Should you need to cancel the school within 30 days prior to the starting date, we will issue a gift
certificate in the amount of the cancelled school. That gift certificate may be used toward another
school date of your choice.
Two-Day Class Program:
Day One
9:00 a.m. Registration at the Outdoor Adventure Center.
9:30 a.m. Introductions and discussion of class program.
9:45 a.m. Classroom presentation—Lines, rods, and reels. The Orvis Progressive Fly Casting
Method, part one: video on the basic casting stroke.
10:45 a.m. Report to casting pond for demonstration of the basic cast; students casting.
12:00 p.m. Lunch (catered).
1:00 p.m. Classroom presentation—The Orvis Progressive Fly Casting Method, part two: video
on shooting line, false casting, and roll casting.
1:15 p.m. Report to casting pond for demonstration on shooting line, false casting, and roll
casting; students casting. Videotaping of students.
2:30 p.m. Classroom presentation—Knot tying seminar. Discussion on leaders; hands-on
knot tying.
4:00 p.m. Classroom presentation—Equipment and accessories.
4:30 p.m. End of first day.
Day Two
8:30 a.m. Classroom presentation—Entomology, fly selection, and how to fish flies. Tips on
how to handle, photograph, and release fish.
9:30 a.m. Demonstration on hook-setting and fish-fighting techniques.
9:45 a.m. Classroom presentation—Video analysis. The Orvis Progressive Fly Casting Method,
part three: video on the double haul.
10:45 a.m. Report to Lagoon for demonstration on the double haul; fishing in still water;
students casting and fishing.
12:00 p.m. Lunch (catered).
1:00 p.m. Orvis-endorsed fishing trips, and tips on fishing with guides. Discussion on wading
safety.
1:30 p.m. French Broad River trip—Talk on reading water. Demonstration on fishing flies
in moving water; students fishing.
3:30 p.m. Return to schoolroom for closing statements and graduation certificates.
4:00 p.m. End of school.
Lodging Options:
Experience Biltmore's tradition of warm, gracious hospitality as an honored guest at the Inn on
Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. Luxurious rooms. Flawless service. Fine dining.
Exquisite spa services. Marvelous mountain views. A relaxing veranda. Afternoon tea in the
library. Concierges eager to assist you. Carefree transportation around the estate. Rejuvenate your
spirit at our four-star Asheville inn, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. We're the only
accommodations on Biltmore's 8,000-acre estate, and truly the only lodging of its kind in
Asheville, NC.
The Inn on Biltmore Estate
Phone
For Biltmore information, call 800-411-3812 or 828-225-1333.
For Inn on Biltmore Estate reservations, call 800-411-3812 or 828-225-1600.
Mail
Biltmore, 1 Approach Road, Asheville, NC 28803
Inn on Biltmore Estate, 1 Antler Hill Road, Asheville, NC 28803
www.biltmore.com
Other Local Accommodations
Biltmore Package Hotel Partners
Make your visit to Biltmore a carefree experience. Simply choose the hotel partner that best suits
your needs, and you'll enjoy quality accommodations, plus special perks such as unlimited daytime
admission to Biltmore for the length of your stay. Visit
http://www.biltmore.com/book_getaway/area/partners.asp for other hotels that honor Biltmore
Estate access, including:
Doubletree Hotel Biltmore/Asheville
115 Hendersonville Road,
Asheville, NC, 28803
828-274-1800
Residence Inn Asheville–Biltmore
701 Biltmore Ave
Asheville, NC 28803
828-281-3361
Sleep Inn–Biltmore
117 Hendersonville Road
Asheville, NC 28803
828-277-1800
Hilton Asheville–Biltmore Park
43 Town Square Blvd.
Asheville, NC 28803
828-209-2700
Residence Inn Asheville–Biltmore
701 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28803
828-281-3361
Orvis-Endorsed Guides:
Biltmore Estate
One Approach Road
Asheville, NC 28803
866-336-1259
Web-site: www.biltmore.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Upon completing your Orvis 2 Day Fly Fishing School, join us on a private Trophy Water
Guided Fly Fishing Trip. Put your new found skills to the test on a beautiful section of private
and secluded trout water located in the Smokey Mountains just 20 minutes away from the
Biltmore Estate. You will be wade fishing a private section of river loaded with Rainbow and
Brown Trout with a Biltmore Estate Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide. The trip will be around
6 hours in duration and will include a gourmet lunch from the Biltmore Estate. All equipment is
included. Clients will need to obtain a North Carolina Temporary Fishing License. The cost of
the trip is $450 for up to 2 people. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the
Biltmore Estate Outdoor Center at 828-225-1425.
David Hise
Hickory, NC 28601
828-304-2400
Web-site: www.castersflyshop.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Fly-fishing guide and instructor (FFF Certified) with nearly 30 years of fly-fishing experience.
Fish both public and private waters of the beautiful Southeastern United States.
Foscoe Fishing Co. & Outfitters, Inc.
9400 Highway 105 South
Foscoe, NC 28604
828-963-6556
Web-site: www.foscofishing.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Come visit our brand-new handcrafted log building nestled in the shadow of the renowned
Grandfather Mountain. Conveniently located between historic Boone and the quaint town of
Banner Elk on the beautiful Watauga River, we are surrounded by over 300 miles of streams and
rivers.
Brown Trout Fly Fishing
530 Brandon Road
Black Mountain, N.C. 28711
(803) 431-9437
Web-site: www.browntroutflyfishing.com
E-mail: [email protected]
(Clients meet at the Orvis Store)
28 Schenck Pkwy.
Asheville, N.C. 28803
Superior fly-fishing trips and instruction across western North Carolina and east Tennessee. Wade
North Carolina freestones, float Tennessee tailwaters. Appalachian fly fishing at its finest.
Beginners to experts welcome.
