Tennessee Fly-Fishing School
• Overview
• Seasonal/Weather/Fishing Conditions
• General School Information
• Cancellation Policy
• Class Program (choose the appropriate program below)
o Two-Day
o One-Day
• Lodging
• Available Guides
Overview:
The Orvis Tennessee Fly-Fishing School is held at The Lodge at Buckberry Creek (866-305-
6343) in Gatlinburg. The Gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the lodge is just
11.5 miles from the Sevierville Orvis Retail Store and 1 hour from the Knoxville, Tennessee
Airport.
There are plenty of activities available nearby. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the
country’s most visited park and the only park that does not have an entrance fee. Outdoor
adventures abound, including hiking, horseback riding, tubing, and nearby whitewater rafting.
There is also plenty for the non-outdoorsman to do including art galleries, shopping, Dollywood,
Splash Country, and other great local attractions.
Seasonal Weather/Fishing Conditions:
April/May—Expect high temperatures in the fifties and sixties, and lows in the forties. Good river flows
on nearby rivers and mountain streams.
June/July/August—Expect high temperatures in the mid seventies and high eighties, and lows in the high
fifties and low sixties. River flows will be determined by the amount of rainfall. The mountain streams
will maintain normal stream flow.
September/October—Expect high temperatures in the sixties and low seventies, lows in the high thirties
and forties. Stream flows will be determined by summer rainfall, with the mountain streams remaining
near normal.
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 Lodge at Buckberry Creek 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 store
directly by calling 865-774-4162.
Equipment: The school staff will issue various graphite rods, 8 to 9 feet in length, for line weights 4 or
5. An 8- and/or 9-weight rod will be available at the casting area for students who want to cast a heavier-
weight rod. We use all weight-forward floating lines and a variety of Orvis reels in the program. Waders
or hip boots are provided. We recommend that you pack extra changes of socks for use with wading
gear.
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. Student registration at The Lodge at Buckberry Creek.
9:45 a.m. Introductions and discussion of class program.
10:00 a.m. The Orvis Progressive Fly Casting Method, part one: video on the basic casting stroke.
10:15 a.m. Report to casting pond for demonstration of basic casting stroke; students casting.
11:15 a.m. Report to classroom for a presentation on lines, rods, and reels.
12:00 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 casting.
2:45 p.m. Classroom presentation—Knot-tying seminar. Discussion on leaders, and 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. Video analysis. The Orvis Progressive Fly Casting Method, part three: video on the
double haul.
10:30 a.m. Report to pond for demonstration on the double haul and casting in windy
conditions. Students casting.
12:00 Lunch (catered).
1:00 p.m. Orvis-endorsed fishing trips and tips on fishing with guides.
1:15 p.m. River trip—Demonstration on hook-setting and fish-fighting techniques. Talk on
reading water, wading safety, and 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.
One-Day Class Program
9:00 a.m. Student registration at The Lodge at Buckberry Creek.
9:30 a.m. Introduction and discussion of class program.
9:45 a.m. The Orvis Progressive Fly Casting Method part one and two: Video
on the basic casting stroke, shooting line, false casting, false casting and
shooting line, and roll casting.
10:00 a.m. Report to casting area for demonstration of basic casting stroke. Students
casting.
11:15 a.m. Classroom presentation – Tackle and flies.
12:00 Lunch.
12:30 p.m. The Orvis Progressive Fly Casting Method part three: Video on the
double haul.
12:45 p.m. Report to casting area for demonstration on the double haul. Students
casting.
1:30 p.m. Classroom presentation – Knot tying seminar. Discussion on leaders,
hands-on knot tying.
2:15 p.m. Orvis-Endorsed fishing trips and tips on fishing with guides. Wading and
wading safety.
2:30 p.m. River trip – Talk on reading water. Demonstration on
fishing flies. Students fishing.
4:30 p.m. Return to school room for closing statements, and graduation certificates.
5:00 p.m. End of school.
Lodging Options:
Most students stay at The Lodge at Buckberry Creek. They offer a discounted rate to Orvis
Students. Please mention that you are enrolled in the Orvis Fly-Fishing School when making
your reservations.
The Lodge at Buckberry Creek.
961 Campbell Lead Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(866) 305-6343
www.buckberrylodge.com
** The Buckberry Lodge Restaurant is open for Breakfast before class.
The following hotels are also available nearby:
Fairfield Inn & Suites
Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
1-866-430-3659
www.fairfieldsuitesgatlinburg.com
Holiday Inn Express
308 Henderson Chapel
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
1-877-345-5566
Comfort Inn Apple Valley
1850 Parkway
Sevierville, TN 37862
1-800-233-3443
www.comfortinnapplevalley.com
Inn at Christmas Place
119 Christmas Tree Lane
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
1-888-465-9644
Ramada
2193 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
1-800-269-1222
www.pigeonforgeramada.com
Orvis-Endorsed Guides:
H. Clay Aalders
Smoky Mountain Gillies
Knoxville, Tn. 37920
865-964-6403
Web-site: www.smokymountaingillies.com
E-mail: clay@smokymountaingillies.com
Join us on a wading trip in the Smoky Mountains National Park or a tailwater float. Catch wild
brookies, rainbows, and browns in beautiful Tennessee.
Rob Fightmaster
Great Smoky Mountains N.P.
865-607-2886
Web-site: www.fightmasterflyfishing.com
E-mail: [email protected]
“One of the South’s best fishing guides” – Garden & Gun. Backcountry and roadside wade trips
for wild trout in the Smokies. Float for trout and smallmouth on local tailwaters.
Patrick Fulkrod
Bristol, Va. 24201
276-466-8988
Web-site:
www.mountainsportsltd.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Fish the South Holston and Watauga rivers or a variety of smaller streams and learn why it is
obvious some consider southwest Virginia and east Tennessee to be the finest fishing on the East
Coast.
Hunter Profitt
Nashville, Tn. 37205
615-415-2182
Web-site: www.gamefairltd.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Experience the mid-South’s best-kept fishing secret, the Caney Fork River. Less than an hour
from downtown, fish for brookies, browns, and rainbows. Warmwater trips available as well.
Southeastern Anglers
Reliance, Tn. 37369
770-655-9210 or 866-558-7688
Web-site: www.southeasternanglers.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Fly fishing adventures in the southern Appalachians. Premier outfitter and guide service in east
Tennessee, established in 1999. Professionally guided drift boat excursions on the Hiwassee scenic
river and other local tailwaters. Mountain wade trips on more than 100 miles of streams in the
Tellico River basin, all located in the Cherokee National Forest. Both areas are Trout Unlimited
top 100 trout streams. Browns, rainbows, mountain brook trout, and smallmouth bass. Great for
expert or novice. Group trips available. Instructional trips a specialty. Custom excursions and
multi-day trips with a strong emphasis on a high-quality experience.
