What I Learned from a Beginner Fly Fishing Class in Texas
I’m here again, finding myself diving deep into how to learn fly fishing. This is the second time I’ve taken an intro to fly fishing course, and I must say…it was infinitely better than the first one I took a year ago—instructors really do make a difference!
Why I Love Living Waters Fly Fishing in Round Rock, TX
I’m a huge fan of Living Waters Fly Fishing in Round Rock, TX. The folks who work there are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about all things fishing. To be completely honest, I’ve spent more money on flies there than I’d like to admit, but shopping local makes me feel better about those decisions!
If you’re looking for beginner fly fishing classes in Texas, this is the spot.
What You’ll Learn in Their Free Beginner Fly Fishing Classes
They offer free beginner classes that cover the essentials, including:
How to cast a fly rod, with practical fly casting tips
The differences between reels, rods, and lines—plus how materials and weights affect performance
Where to fish in local Central Texas waters, and the techniques that work best
As Chris Johnson, the owner, put it:
“Learning how to cast is the biggest barrier to entry to fly fishing.”
From Tenkara to Traditional Fly Fishing
My intro to fly fishing originally came through Tenkara, which helped me get comfortable casting a line and fly into the water. But now I’m eager to cast farther, to reach those fish that are just out of range with a fixed line. That’s what brought me to this class.
Top 5 Takeaways from the Fly Fishing Class
Here are some nuggets I took away from the class:
There are three main types of casts: straight-line loop, wide loop, and tailing loop
The 5 essentials of fly casting always apply
Four things change when casting: power, stroke, arc, and timing
Your fly rod weight and line weight should always match
There are different fly lines for different types of water
Right after class, they helped me set up my fly rod with a new fly line tippet. I walked away feeling prepared and excited to fish around town!
Final Thoughts
If you’re curious about fly fishing or ready to take the next step, I can’t recommend Living Waters Fly Fishing enough. Their free classes are perfect for beginners, and their team makes learning fun and approachable.
Tight lines,
Victoria
