FFI FlyFest 2026 - Preregistered Workshops
Presented by The Fly Shop
Fri, Sep 25 at 9:00 AM (CDT)
- Sat, Sep 26 at 5:00 PM (CDT)
Address Provided on Ticket Confirmation,
Redding,
California
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Friday September 25
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Speakers: Jonathan Walter & Andy Manley
Skill Level: Intermediate
It is not too early to start preparing for certification in 2027! This 4-hour class is intended for CI candidates getting started on their journey towards certification. Candidates already on the path will also benefit. We will cover highlights of gear selection. Then we will cover the information all instructors must know not just to pass the exam, but also to be great instructors! Significant time will be spent casting, critiquing and correcting what are arguably the three most important tasks on the exam.
Equipment: 5, 6, or 7 wt. rod with matching brightly colored floating line, 7.5-9 ft. leader tapering to 0X or thicker, hat, sunglasses, copy of the 2025 CI exam for note taking, chair or sitting pad may be desired.
Friday September 25
1:00 PM - 5: 00 PM
Speaker: Steve Hiller
Skill Level: Beginner
This hands-on casting class is designed to help you refine and master the skills required to achieve the FCSD Silver Level. Instructors will cover loop control, shooting line, Belgian cast, casting from your non-dominant side, accuracy skills, reach mends, and techniques for casting distances of 60 feet, and provide practice drills to improve and maintain those skills. The workshop is taught by Certified Casting Instructors and by facilitators who have achieved the Gold Level.
Requirement: Students should have achieved their FCSD Bronze-level skills.
Equipment: A 5–6 wt fly rod; reel with a floating line; 7.5-foot 0X leader; and a yarn fly (provided). Please bring eye protection, a hat, weather-appropriate clothing, and water.
Saturday September 26
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Speaker: Steve Hiller
Skill Level: Intermediate
This hands-on casting class is designed to help you refine and master the skills required to achieve the FCSD Gold Level. Instructors will cover loop control, curve cast, slack line presentations, roll cast pick up, backcast delivery, non-dominant accuracy, and casting from your non-dominant side, accuracy skills, and techniques for casting distances of 70 feet or more. The workshop is taught by Certified Casting Instructors and by facilitators who have achieved the Gold Level.
Requirement: Students must have achieved their FCSD Silver level skills.
Equipment: A 5–6 wt fly rod; reel with a floating line; 7.5-foot 0X leader; and a yarn fly (provided). Please bring eye protection, a hat, weather-appropriate clothing, and water.
Friday September 25
8:00 AM - 10: 00 AM
Speaker: Bill Campbell
Skill Level: Intermediate
Bass are accessible to fly anglers across North America, and more anglers are targeting largemouth, smallmouth, spotted and Guadalupe bass for their abundance, challenge and spirited fights. The growing popularity of fly fishing for bass, particularly smallmouth, has driven the development of larger articulated flies for topwater, mid-column and deep-water presentations. This workshop explores the casting adjustments needed to effectively deliver these larger, highly effective patterns.
Equipment: Students do not need to bring anything, however a fly rod is useful.
Friday September 25
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Speaker: Jonathan Walter & Andy Manley
Skill Level: Advanced
This 4-hour seminar is for all MCI/CI’s that mentor or want to mentor candidates for the single hand CI exam. Let’s share ideas and methods amongst experienced mentors and help those that are starting to mentor! There will be a presentation on useful approaches to mentoring, and participants may share their approaches and practices. If there is time, we will find space outside to cover some exam tasks and their expectations. If you are interested in starting to mentor or want to share your methods, please attend!
Equipment: Bring any materials you wish to share and a notebook. A fly rod with a brightly colored fly line is optional.
Friday September 25
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Speakers: Willy George, John Bilotta & Dave Bracks
Skill Level: All
Everyone is welcomed to attend and you are not required to be an FFI Certified Casting Instructor (CI). However, current CI’s and MCI’s are definitely encouraged to attend to find out what the THCI certification has to offer. The workshop is being held entirely on-the-water at the famous Barge Hole on the Sacramento River about 30 minutes from the Redding Civic Auditorium. Some ride sharing opportunities will likely be available.
Equipment: Waders, boots, wading staff, water, hat, glasses or sunglasses, a two-handed Spey rod, reel, Scandi head or mid-length Spey line tailored to the THCI Exam is preferred, appropriate leader, and yarn fly. Serious THCI Candidates are welcome to also bring their Skagit & sink tip set-ups as well for those tasks.
Saturday September 26
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Speaker: Todd Hegestad
Skill Level: All
This workshop is an introduction to single hand Spey casting techniques. The workshop will begin with a comparison of traditional fly casting and Spey casting techniques and the application of Spey casting for fishing. The Spey casting lesson will consist of understanding and practicing the foundation of Spey casting – the roll cast and progressing to the switch cast and then various versions of Spey casting. This workshop will be on grass.
Equipment: Bring a 5 to 8wt rod and reel with a with a preference for a fly line with a 30 plus head section and 9 ft tapered leader. We will use yarn indicators.
Saturday September 26
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Speakers: Willy George & John Bilotta
Skill level: FFI Certified Instructor
This intensive three-hour workshop gives FFI Certified Casting Instructors (CIs) a comprehensive introduction to the MCI Exam, whether considering the exam or actively preparing for it. Participants will explore a sampling of casts and teaching tasks from every exam section, on both grass and water, with opportunities to cast along regardless of skill level. This is not a beginner or intermediate casting class.
Equipment: Waders, boots, wading staff, water, hat, glasses or sunglasses, and a suitable 9' 6- or 7-weight single-hand rod, preferably with a 7-weight hi-vis orange teaching line, leader and yarn fly.
Friday September 25
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Speaker: Dave Bracks
Skill Level: Advanced
This comprehensive three-hour, on-water workshop for advanced Spey casters and MCI, THCI and THMCI candidates focuses on controlling tension—the foundation of effective Spey casting. Participants will learn techniques, rules and drills for maintaining tension through Roll and Switch, Single Spey, Double Spey, Snap T/C and Snake Roll casts, plus tips for advancing their casting. FFI certification is not required, though MCI, THCI and THMCI candidates are encouraged to attend. This is not a beginner class.
Equipment: Waders, boots, eye protection, notebook and pencil; two-hand Spey outfit with preferably Scandi or mid-belly head lines; or single-hand setup with full-floating DT or longer fine-tapered head lines.
Saturday September 26
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Speakers: Peter Lami & Rene Hesse
Skill Level: All
Deep dive into the precise arm movements and timing behind an Expert Double Haul. Classroom instruction applies Lami’s START 5 Variables to refine and troubleshoot technique, followed by an outdoor workshop with ACA SE Accuracy & Distance Champion Rene Hesse. Explore line-speed multiplication, efficient biomechanics, timing, coordination, and in-plane hauling. Bring your fly rod outfit. Preview: https://www.startflycasting.com
Equipment: Any fly rod outfit
Speaker: Sam Yee
Skill Level: Intermediate
This class focuses on casting sinking lines, sink tips and 400–450 grain integrated shooting heads with weighted Clouser flies. Learn Lefty-style sidearm and shifted-plane casting, power application, weight shift, torso and shoulder rotation, and double hauling. Techniques include roll and spiral pickups to bring sinking lines to the surface, plus horizontal and vertical Belgian casts to maintain tension and prevent end-of-stroke overload. Vertical Belgian casting with forward and backcast presentations will also be covered for efficient two-false-cast deliveries.
Equipment: Eye protection required. TFO rods and lines provided.
CA06 - Rewrite The Story of Your Loop: Tighter Loops with Video Analysis
$25.00
+ $2.34 fees
$25.00
+ $2.34 fees
Friday September 25
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Speaker: Mary Ann Dozer, Marion Hiller & Ruth Sims
Skill Level: Intermediate
This workshop helps anglers advance their casting, climb the Skill Development Ladder or prepare for Casting Instructor Certification. Develop crisp 4-foot loops, greater accuracy and distance while learning both the “how” and “why” of each cast so you can diagnose and correct your casting on the water. Video analysis provides immediate feedback and measurable progress. Participants leave with an actionable improvement plan, a 100-page workbook and access to 50+ instructional videos.
Equipment: A favorite 4–6 wt rod with a 0X 7.5' leader. No flies.
CA15 - Accelerate Your CI Journey: A Workshop for Women taught by Women
$25.00
+ $2.34 fees
$25.00
+ $2.34 fees
Saturday September 26
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Speakers: Mary Ann Dozer, Marion Hiller & Ruth Sims
Skill Level: Intermediate
Designed exclusively for women pursuing Casting Instructor (CI) certification, this supportive workshop offers expert mentorship from accomplished women and a community focused on your success. Through hands-on instruction, video analysis and real-time feedback, you’ll develop loop control, accuracy and distance while learning how and why each movement works so you can self-correct on the water. Participants leave with a personalized improvement plan, 100-page Coursebook and access to 50+ instructional videos.
Equipment: A 4–6 wt trout rod with a 0X 7.5' leader.
Saturday September 26
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Speaker: Aaron Culley
Skill Level: Beginner
Focus on winging modern steelhead fishing flies using feathers for winging these flies. Bronze mallard for Lady Caroline style flies and hackle wings in the Glasso traditions.
Equipment: Tying vise, light and necessary tools. Bobbin with white, black and or orange thread (6/0 or 8/0). whip finish tool, dubbing twist tool, scissors, bodkin, head cement.
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