ORVIS MICHIGAN 2022 SCHOOL DATES

The Orvis Michigan Fly Fishing School returns to the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa just east of downtown Traverse City. Orvis Michigan will once again offer both one and two day schools. Conveniently located only a few minutes from downtown Traverse City, the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa will offer dedicated classroom facilities, private trout pond, and luxurious accommodations at special rates for Orvis one day and two day students.

Overlooking beautiful Lake Michigan, the Orvis Michigan Fly Fishing Schools combine northwoods beauty and classic elegance at The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. After matching the hatch on Michigan’s famed Manistee, or Boardman Rivers, you can choose to relax at the beach, play some golf or tennis, or explore the beautiful sand beaches of Grand Traverse Bay. The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is home to our two day fly fishing schools which include wading the famous Boardman River where the Adams fly was invented. Miles of streams are available after class, or take in the sun on the Resort’s private Lake Michigan beachfront.

Schools utilize private trout ponds and classrooms, as well as serene stretches of the Boardman River only a few minutes away. Orvis Michigan is designed to introduce the intricacies of fly fishing to an absolute novice, but even experienced fly anglers will find personal and advanced instruction tailored to their level of experience. From knots to entomology, casting to tackle, the instructors at Orvis Michigan will fully prepare you to step into the stream.

 

One of the attractions of the Orvis Michigan Fly Fishing School is the variety of rivers that surround the resort. While the Manistee River’s "flies only" water lures most of our float and wade trip anglers, the Boardman River and public access is only minutes away. (Note: The famous Adams fly was invented on the Boardman River in nearby Mayfield, Michigan.) The Manistee is nearly a mirror image of its sister river, the AuSable River. Miles of easily waded gravel and sand bottom and easy access makes the Manistee River the river of choice to set out on your own. The river is approximately thirty to sixty feet across in most stretches and boasts prolific hatches. While the Boardman River is a little narrower (twenty to forty feet across in the upper reaches) it too has open stretches that are especially inviting for the novice angler. Both rivers have easy public access, are two to four feet in depth, and are only twenty to BOARDMAN BEAUTY2thirty minutes from the shop. Spring runs of steelhead and fall runs of Chinook and Coho salmon crowd the local rivers which offer wadeable water only 45 minutes away.

Streamside Orvis in downtown Traverse City and Orvis Michigan Fly Fishing School at The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa both have easy to follow maps to the river and can offer timely information regarding hatches and conditions.

Brown trout, rainbow trout and brook trout are found in these waters. These are wild trout that reproduce naturally and thrive with the help of Trout Unlimited, the Boardman River Restoration Project, Conservation Resource Alliance and other active organizations that protect the unique cold water resource around the Traverse City region. While hatches of caddis and some mayfly hatches Dave Bug school imageoccur at various times of the day all summer long, the late night hatches are most desirable because they draw more of the large nocturnal feeding brown trout.

Fishing our local rivers does not require a boat. However, guides are available for full day and half day float and wade trips on the Manistee and Boardman Rivers. Or, take a private lesson to review the finer points of fly casting and fly angling. Instructors and guides are available all summer long. Because some hatches attract more anglers than others, we recommend that you book a guide early if you want the float the better hatches after the school.

Orvis Michigan students and Streamside guided anglers enjoy SPECIAL RATES at the luxurious Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Just mention that you are a student at the Orvis Michigan Fly Fishing School and you'll receive a special discounted room rate.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US BY PHONE AT (231) 933-9300 WITH QUESTIONS.