Events · Spring 2027
Spring Streamer Clinic
Stop waiting for a hatch and go hunting. In one day you’ll learn to rig, cast, animate and strip-set streamers for bigger trout, then fish it on mountain streams and alpine lakes with a coach at your side.
Saturday, April 17, 2027 · $345 per person · 9 spots
What You’ll Learn
A small, hands-on day for anglers who already fish and want to find, move and hook bigger trout on streamers.
- Rig sink-tips and short leaders, and tie the non-slip loop knot for fly action
- Cast heavy flies without fighting them
- Animate a streamer: strip-pause, jig, swing and dead-drift
- Read the banks, seams and soft edges where big trout ambush
- Land the strip set that turns follows into fish
Who It’s For
- You can cast about 30 feet with a floating line
- You’re comfortable wading moving water
- You’ve fished on your own before. This isn’t a first-day class
- Small groups: 9 spots, 3 students per coach
New to fly fishing? A private guided day is the better place to start.
The Three Stations
The morning runs as three rotating stations of about 45 minutes. Every small group visits all three, each with an experienced streamer angler coaching.
Station 1
Rigging & Fly Selection
Build a sink-tip rig and a floating-line rig, practice the non-slip loop knot, and learn to choose fly size, weight, color and profile for the water in front of you.
Station 2
Casting Heavy Flies
Slow the tempo and open the loop. Water-load and oval casts, a roll cast to lift a sink tip, one false cast and shoot, and short, accurate casts to the bank.
Station 3
Retrieves & the Strip Set
Strip-pause, jigging, swinging, and dead-drift then strip. Countdown depth control on stillwater, and strip-set drills: rod low, strip, then sweep.
The Day
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 7:45 | Check-in and coffee Licenses checked, rods assigned, groups formed by skill |
| 8:00 | Welcome and safety briefing Spring water is cold and fast: wading safety, the buddy system, and hook and eye safety with heavy flies |
| 8:20 | Streamer systems Rods, floating vs sink-tip lines, short leaders, the non-slip loop knot |
| 9:00 | Rotating stations Rigging, casting and retrieves, in small groups |
| 11:30 | Hot streamside lunch The Philadelphia Steak Sandwich, cooked by David |
| 12:15 | Streamer fly-making David makes his streamer patterns at the vise and explains movement, weight and articulation |
| 1:00 | Reading water for streamer fish Undercut banks, wood, seams, soft edges and tailouts |
| 1:30 | On-water coaching Each coach keeps one group of 3 on its own water, coaching every retrieve and strip set |
| 4:15 | Debrief and send-off Take-home rigging and retrieve sheet, and a group photo |
| 4:45 | Wrap |
Your team
Hosted by David
David Blackett, Licensed Guide, first aid and CPR certified, hosts the day. He runs the welcome and safety briefing, cooks lunch and leads the streamer fly-making session.
Small groups are coached by experienced streamer anglers, at 3 students per coach at the stations and on the water.
Lunch
Philadelphia Steak Sandwich
Cooked streamside by David in a Dutch oven, with provolone, sweet onions and sweet bell peppers on a local bakery brioche roll. Served with Grillo’s pickles and Ritz air chips, plus snacks and drinks all day.
What’s Included
- A full day of small-group instruction, hosted by David
- Hot streamside lunch, snacks and drinks
- A 3-fly pack of David’s streamers to keep
- Leaders and tippet for the day
- Loaner Scott fly rods (limited, so reserve one when you book)
- A take-home rigging and retrieve sheet
What to Bring
- Waders and wading boots, a wading belt and a wading staff
- A 6–7 wt rod with a sink-tip or intermediate line, if you own one
- Polarized glasses (required) and a hat
- Layers and a rain shell
- Water bottle, sunscreen, bear spray and a bear bell
Not included: your Utah fishing license, waders and boots, lodging and travel, and gratuity. Every angler 12 and older needs a Utah fishing license. Get your Utah fishing license
Sponsors
Clinic sponsor
Fly tying materials, courtesy of Troutline, a fly tying materials company from Romania.
Date & Price
Date
Sat, April 17, 2027
7:45 AM–4:45 PM
Price
$345
Per person · early bird $315 if paid in full by Feb 15, 2027
Where: mountain streams and alpine lakes. The exact location is shared with registered participants.
Group size: 9 spots, 3 students per coach.
Registration
- A 50% deposit holds your spot. The balance is due 30 days before the clinic. Nothing is charged online.
- The clinic needs at least 6 students 21 days out. If it doesn’t fill, David reschedules or refunds in full.
- Cancel 30 or more days out for a full refund minus card fees. 14–29 days out, you get a credit toward a 2027 clinic or guided trip. Inside 14 days, there’s no refund unless your spot is filled, but you can send a substitute.
- The clinic runs rain or shine. If flows, lightning or roads make it unsafe, David moves it to the backup date (Monday, April 19, 2027) or safer water. If you can’t make the new date, you get a full credit or refund.
FAQ
Where is the clinic?
On mountain streams and alpine lakes, about 2.5 hours from the Wasatch Front. The exact location is shared with registered participants.
Is this for beginners?
It’s built for anglers who already fish on their own and can cast about 30 feet. If you’re newer to fly fishing, start with a private guided day.
Do I need my own streamer rod?
No. Loaner Scott fly rods are available, but they’re limited, so ask for one when you reserve. Bring a 6–7 wt rod with a sink-tip if you have one.
Is a fishing license included?
No. Every angler 12 and older needs a Utah fishing license. Short-term 3- and 7-day licenses are available online. Get your Utah fishing license
Who ties the flies?
David ties every fly he fishes. You’ll watch him make his streamer patterns at the vise, take home a 3-fly pack, and see them alongside The Real McCoy, David’s signature fly.
Questions first?
Call or text David
Or set up a free video call to talk it through. No charge, no obligation.
Reserve a Spot
Send a request and David will confirm your spot and the deposit details. Prefer another date? Join the interest list and you’ll hear about future clinics first.