This is one class that anglers don’t want to miss. One that you want to get straight A’s in. Raise your hand, take notes, pay attention in, and make sure you are on time. You are stepping into the classroom with Jim Rogers and the school of Fly Fishing. The classroom is located in the beautiful scenic Ozark Mountains in Bennett Spring State Park next to the Missouri Department of Conservation Trout Hatchery.

The Jim Rogers’ School of Fly Fishing (www.jimrogersflyschool.com) not only teaches the art of fly casting, but the basics of how to fish. Each of the certified instructors has been taught to teach every skill level of angler from novice to expert. Every angler will learn from the instructor how to improve their fly casting skills or to how to catch more fish. The school director is Jim Rogers who has been fly fishing for over 50 years and has a Master Certificate in fly fishing instruction from the Federation of Fly Fishers. Rogers also consistently wins both distance and accuracy fly casting competitions. He’s an expert at fly casting, but it’s his good nature and positive attitude that students appreciate; in addition to being able to transfer his fly casting knowledge and angling skills into making the student a better angler and fly caster.

While some school settings are ghastly, the Jim Rogers’ School of Fly Fishing takes place at Bennett Spring State Park located just 12 miles west of Labanon, Missouri (www.lebanonmo.org). Yes, it does make it harder to pay attention knowing that trout are swimming within casting distance, but it’s worth the wait. Some of my favorite tips and quotes from Mr. Rogers during our abbreviated fly casting lesson: “There is always one like you in every class! Don’t make a rainbow when you are casting. Watch your line going back. Preparing yourself before casting is the key.” However one thing that Mr. Rogers said that is important to remember was, “It takes only one hour for someone to learn how to fly cast with a qualified instructor; on the other hand, it takes someone 200 hours to learn to fly cast without a qualified instructor.”

Basic Casting Lessons:
The basic cast and roll cast are taught from a practical fishing point of view Private lessons by appointment are available and larger groups can also be accommodated.

Advanced Fly Casting:
You learn how to have good loop control and progress through the double-haul. Class size is one or two persons and last a minimum of three hours.

Federation of Fly Fishers-FFF Fly Casting Instructor Certification instruction is available. For FFF instructor classes please call for information.

The Basics Fly-Fishing Class:
One day class covers the basics required to fly fish. Casting, fly selection, knots, equipment, wading and basic fishing knowledge are covered. This is a great school for those who want to learn to fly fish as quickly as possible. For complete prices on the classes go to (www.jimrogersflyschool.com). Lodging is also available on site at the park. There is five campgrounds with either primitive to full hookups, a number of cabins, Olympic sized swimming pool, and dining lodge within the park. There is also a fly fishing tackle store inside the park store adjacent to Jim Rogers’ School of Fly Fishing for any of your fly tackle needs.

At last schools out! Now you can go out and try and catch some of the 400,000 trout with an average length of 12-inches that they let go every evening from the Bennett Spring Hatchery. They even have one section that is for fly fishing only! Today’s assignment is to go fishing and have fun with your final exam on the water…