Coaching
Albury is one of the leading fly fisheries in the country, and many fly fishers have started their journey here. Professional coaching is an integral part of our offer to help fly fishers of all levels of experience get more out of the sport.
We Fly Fish https://weflyfish.co.uk provide our professional coaching, and have coached individuals and groups of up to 15 anglers at Albury. We Fly Fish is led by Marc O’Regan who is part of the Coach Educator faculty for the Angling Trust which develops and assesses professional angling coaches in England. Recognised by Sport England as the National Governing Body for sport fishing, the Angling Trust oversees professional coaching standards. We Fly Fish coaches are licensed to practice with all age groups and have the necessary qualifications, registration and insurance to plan and deliver linked coaching sessions.
Small stillwaters and streams on the Albury Estate provide the perfect setting for learning to fly fish all year round. Albury Estate offers plenty of areas with space for easy back casting, and shelter from strong winds that can make learning to cast a challenge.
Coaching sessions - Ignite, Develop and Refine
Our coaching philosophy is to keep sessions safe and fun whilst we develop your skills and inspire you to take the sport further.
What we cover in your coaching session depends on your needs and ambitions. For beginners of all ages an Ignition coaching session allows you to get a feel for some basic casting and fishing techniques with the aim to get you a trout on the line if conditions allow (there is an element of luck of course!). Emphasis here is getting you fly fishing safely as quickly as possible, and let you see if the sport is for you. Typically 2 or 3 hours.
Skills Development sessions provide a more thorough grounding in the skills required for beginners and a couple of 3 hour sessions is typically enough to get a complete beginner confident to fly fish independently. This includes equipment set up, casting, landing fish, basic watercraft and fly selection. We often find that two separate half day sessions, with some casting practice on grass in between sessions, works better than a single whole day course. Emphasis is on learning at your pace and adapting to your needs.
Skills Refinement sessions are for intermediate fly fishers with some experience who want to hone casting and watercraft skills. These coaching sessions aim to polish existing skills and introduce more advanced techniques as appropriate. Your objectives will be discussed and realistic learning outcomes agreed. These sessions typically start with a review of foundational skills such as the static roll cast and overhead cast, and often introduce techniques such as off shoulder casts, roll cast pickups, shooting line, hauling and constant tension casting. Acquiring these skills allows you to fish at range when needed and also to fish in adverse wind conditions. Where appropriate and with permission we utilise Video analysis to capture and slow down casting to point out opportunities for technical improvement .
These sessions can also be used to broaden the range of fly types used, from imitative classic dry flies and nymphs through to modern lure techniques such as snakes and blobs. Having a range of fly types you are confident with gives you more options and better chances of success. These can be 1 hour, half or full day sessions with a mix of technical coaching and practical guided fishing at a pace that suits the fly fisher.
How old do you need to be to fly fishing?
We recommend 8 as a minimum age to start fly fishing. We’ve coached younger anglers who have a lot of fun, but they typically don’t have the development to be able to fish independently. For younger anglers we’d suggest they start with another angling discipline that doesn’t involve the challenges of fly casting and that can produce quicker and easier results.
Younger, smaller fly fishers usually need shorter, lighter rods to get started and we’d suggest small rods of around 7 foot in length which we provide. We adapt session plans to the needs of younger anglers, making sure that adequate breaks for rest and snacks are built in, and that explanations and demonstrations meet their needs. Junior anglers need more supervision to keep the sessions safe and fun and we operate the following policy:
8-12 years old: one to one coaching with a parent or guardian present throughout
13-18 years old: two juniors per coach with a parent or guardian present throughout
Low coaching ratios mean junior anglers can usually avoid getting into frustrating tangles when getting started with fly fishing and have a positive experience that they want to repeat.
Oliver with his first ever rainbow caught at Weston
How many adults can learn together?
This depends on the experience levels of the anglers. For complete beginners, one or two anglers per coach works very well. Three or four adult anglers per coach is the upper limit and only works well with intermediate level anglers wanting to refine skills rather than start from scratch.
Where and when does coaching take place?
Depending on conditions coaching sessions are held at Vale End and Weston fisheries both in Albury, Surrey. For longer sessions we often go to both fisheries. Coaching is available throughout the year. Fishing conditions may be more challenging in the warmer months (August and September) when water temperatures are higher. Weekdays tend to be less busy.
Fly Fishing Instruction Rates:
One Hour £48
For each additional person £12
Booking and can be made and purchased from the order page.
Booking a Lesson:
Please contact Marc O’Regan to arrange a time or to discuss any questions you may have.
Payment for the booking can be made on-line. Once payment has been made and the time agreed then the booking is confirmed and your time is reserved.
If you have to cancel for whatever reason you may not receive a refund, this will be at our sole discretion.
If we have to cancel prior to the coaching session we will agree an alternative date or provide a full refund. Bad weather, water conditions or fish catches are outside of our control and we will not provide refunds for these reasons.
Our full day is 7 hours long starting from the meeting time agreed between you and the coach, and includes a 45 minute lunch break. Our half day is 3 hours.
You do not need to buy a day membership this is included in the cost of the tuition but you will need to buy 2 ‘fish tokens’ in advance, these are available here online:
What you need to bring
Most importantly bring eye protection (ideally polarised sunglasses) and a hat with a peak. These are for safety and also to help spot fish. You will be outdoors of course so bring clothing that will keep you comfortable in the conditions that are forecast. Albury Estate fisheries are very well maintained and you will never be more than a short walk (a few hundred meters) on well mown, fairly flat ground. Once fishing you will be standing still and concentrating on what is happening so make sure you are protected from the elements. In the winter fingerless gloves and layered waterproof clothing are helpful, and in the summer bring sunscreen and clothing that will protect you from the sun.
Bring whatever snacks and drinks you will need during the session, there is a village shop in Albury close to the fisheries.
Anglers over 13 need a Rod Licence in their name. You will need the ‘trout and coarse’ option. These can be bought for a day (cost £6), month or annually, and must be obtained in advance from any Post Office or from the official EA website.
Use of all fishing equipment you need is included in the cost.
Teach-In Days
Teach-In Days for Beginners:
Teach In days are about giving a new angler a chance to spend the day at Albury Estate Fisheries, learn to cast a fly rod and take home a fly-caught fish.
Happening on selected months through the year, your next opportunity is on
- Albury 21st March, 25th April, 23rd May 2020.
These instruction events will divide into a morning and an afternoon session, each running for three hours. Book in for the morning session, running from 9am-Noon, or the afternoon session, running from 1pm til 4pm, price per head £48 includes instruction for the duration, a 1 fish ticket, tackle provision and rod licence waiver for the day. Maximum six persons per session.
Places can now be booked on line: Visit Teach In Page.
If you have a group of friends who between you wish to organise your own bespoke Teach-In event, then please email Cameron Craigs to arrange a custom event.
