Submitted by Jim Craig

September 23-27, 2026

What do you get when you start with meticulous planning then add expert instructors, an outstanding curriculum, a beautiful location, enthusiastic participants, perfect river conditions, cooperative weather, hungry fish, and gourmet-level food—I can’t say enough about the food Thank you, Joann and Maureen!  You get an unmatched fly-fishing learning experience!  I am talking about the Comprehensive Euronymphing With The Experts school produced by Theflyfishingschool.org and generously sponsored by TFO Rods, High N Dry Fishing Products, Scientific Anglers, Zoetic Flies, and Loop Tackle.

On September 23, 2026, FATC members Matt Parsons, Christopher Beahm, Lou Forbringer, Derrick Kassebaum and Larry Mangles arrived in the famous fly fishing driftless region of Viroqua, WI.  They were joined by nine other participants who travelled there from Hawaii to Pennsylvania to learn cutting-edge Euro nymphing techniques.  Participants also included a special fisherman, Hugh Jacobs, a member of the USA Youth Fly Fishing Team.  They learned the latest techniques that were used by the Fly Fishing Team USA to win the TEAM GOLD MEDAL at the 2026 World Fly Fishing Championships last month in Idaho!  As everyone learned, it is not just a tension drift anymore.

Our lead instructors were:

• Jason Randall, a renowned fly-fishing author, instructor, and industry innovator who brings exceptional clarity and practical insight to fly-fishing instruction.
• Josh Miller, a nationally recognized fly-fishing guide, author, and Team USA coach known for his deep expertise in Euro nymphing and practical, on-the-water instruction.
• Nick Conklin, who brings a rare blend of hands-on angling experience, product development expertise, and industry leadership to The Fly Fishing School.  Nick currently works for Loop Tackle AB, based in Sweden, as their Director of Hard Goods Product & Inventory.

They were skillfully assisted by Pops (Josh Miller’s dad, an accomplished guide with excellent insight), Tom Starmack of Zoetic Flies (who provided a box of custom Euronymphing flies for the driftless area to each participant) as well as yours truly, Kenny Klimes and Jim Craig.

All meals, class presentations, and fishing trips were coordinated out of Jason Randall’s cabin (more like a house) on Hornby Creek.  Breakfast started at 7 AM every day.  Morning classes started at 7:30 AM.  At 8:15 AM, we split into 2-person groups and headed to our assigned beats with our instructor/coaches, often to private waters.  Most days we had lunch on the river, then fished until at least 4 PM.  When we arrived at the river each morning, the instructors demonstrated the techniques presented in the morning class, then spent the rest of the fishing session doing one-on-one coaching with each participant as they practiced reading the water and fishing the technique taught that day.  Happy hour and appetizers started about 4:30 PM; dinner ran from 6 to 7 PM.   From 7 to 8:30 PM we had our evening classroom sessions.  To keep our energy up throughout this trip, we had outstanding meals and desserts provided by Joann Randall and her close friend Maureen Starmack.

Three of the evening highlights were:

• The knot strength competition.  Our old favorite, the clinch knot and the improved clinch knot were distant finishers to the amazing 16-20 knot. It was a three turn 16-20 knot that was by far the strongest knot.  In fact, the tippet broke before the knot broke.  You better learn this one.
• An incredible demonstration by Ken Meyers, from High N Dry Fishing, of his company’s water-proofing and buoyancy products for keeping your flies “high and dry.” This company has a dry fly floatation system you will love.
• The fly-tying demonstration by Tom Starmack.  Tom is a commercial fly-tyer and certainly the most skilled when it comes to designing and tying flies for the driftless area.  A crowd gathered when he sat down at the vice to share his insights.

I’ll let the pictures and feedback I paraphrased from the FATC participants close out this report. 

Christopher – I was simply fascinated by how much the sport—and especially Euro nymphing—has evolved over the past few years.

• I was blown away by how effective some of the other Euro nymphing tactics were, and the results were almost immediate.  Tight-lining absolutely still has its place, and I’ll continue to use it when the situation calls for it, but it will no longer be my default approach.
• I genuinely feel like something clicked for me this week. I didn’t just learn a few new techniques—I left a better angler than when I arrived.
• The frisbee cast was probably the biggest eye-opener.  Previously, I felt like I had to be pretty darn close to get the kind of presentation I wanted.  Learning to effectively employ these tactics from 30’ or 40’ away completely changed the way I looked at the water.
• But as much as I grew as an angler this week, the part I’ll probably remember most had very little to do with fishing.  The relationships I built on this trip were something I wasn’t expecting.  I went on this trip expecting to become a better fisherman, and I absolutely did.  But some of the most impactful things I brought home with me had nothing to do with catching fish.  That’s what made this week so special.  I learned a tremendous amount on the water, built relationships I hope will last for years, and came home with a different perspective on a few things that extend well beyond fly fishing.
• It was simply an incredible week of growth—in more ways than I ever expected.

Lou – I was impressed by:

• The generosity and graciousness of our host, hostess, and Maureen.
• The knowledge and skill of our instructors as well as their interest and skill in sharing it.
• The participants…good and interesting people who are open to each other resulting in new and/or deeper friendships.
• The learning I experienced and the food.

Larry – This was a great trip.

• The euro rod is more versatile than I thought.  There was some challenging water, so casting is critical.  Instructors were awesome with helping you get into tight spots.
• I continued to build current and new relationships with our FATC brothers.
• Got to love the 5 pounds I put on with the excellent food provided by the wonderful cooks.
• My euro rod skills increased exponentially during the 5-day school.  Classroom and on-the-river training was excellent.

Matt – I appreciated the:

• Graciousness of the instructors.  I have been on many guided trips where the guides were arrogant and unwilling to share their knowledge with me.  In contrast, Jason and Josh took time to answer all students’ questions thoughtfully.  I was likely the greenest in the group, and all the instructors took time to make me feel comfortable and build my skills.  As a result, I caught more fish each day.
• Beautiful scenery.  I was unfamiliar with this region of the United States and was pleasantly surprised by how gorgeous it was.  Rolling fields filled with corn, with a hilly backdrop and small streams filled with trout. 
•  Company of other anglers.  I really enjoyed getting to know other FATC members and look forward to spending time with them again.  I also enjoyed getting to know students from across the country, like Cobra and Kenny from High and Dry and Maui Jim!

Derrick – I so appreciated the opportunity to spend time with other enthusiasts of a sport that I truly love participating in.  These five days were the best instruction and class time that I have ever had in my fishing career, outside the FATC Course (HAHA).  My highlights were:

• Getting time with other FATC men that are truly a pleasure to be around.  We laughed a lot, got frustrated together, encouraged one another and just talked about life and what really is important to each of us.
• The classes were so helpful in teaching the “why” for what we are going to go out and put into practice.  They helped us prepare before we even got on the water to have the best opportunity to develop the skills and techniques that will make us better anglers.  And then to get instruction by the best anglers in the Euro Nymphing and fly-fishing world was absolutely worth every dollar that was spent.
• The accommodations, food and atmosphere of the entire event was at a five-star level.  I could not imagine what could be added to actually make the event and the food any better than what was offered.  Jo Randal is an absolutely amazing chef and host.
• Even though the cost was $300 a day for the event, there is no way that a day of being guided on any water could ever compare to all I learned at this course.

In closing, let me share this.  Jason Randall starts the first day of every school with this thought, “If you stop learning, you’ll never be a better fly fisherman than you are today.”  I hope you are now convinced to join us at the Dry Fly school that will be coming in April.  Watch your FATC emails.