Far Bank Fly Fishing School gives new anglers a boost with first season of free educational video series

April 26, 2022

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash. /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Connecting the dots from the first cast to the first fish, Far Bank this spring debuted the inaugural season of a free, comprehensive and feature-film quality educational fly fishing series hosted by the legendary fly casting evangelist Simon Gawesworth.

The 2022 season of the the Far Bank Fly Fishing School is dedicated to “new to fly” anglers, with four hours of bite-sized chapters as well as longer episodes focusing on top tips and techniques, on-the-water hints, in-depth studio analysis, guest talent, and beautifully shot casting footage from the Far Bank Loop Lab.

Coupled with Gawesworth’s expertise and personable, easy-to-follow teaching technique, the Far Bank Fly Fishing School is a new direction in fly fishing instructional videos that coincides with a recent surge in new fly anglers.

“Since 2020, we’ve seen one of the largest upticks in fly fishing interest in the last 30 years, but  it takes more than just putting a rod and reel in someone’s hand to convert the curious into the committed and to start bringing them into bigger conversations about conservation and stewardship,” said Gawesworth, Far Bank Education and Engagement Manager.

In 2020, according to the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, fly fishing participants went on 97 million outings, a 27% increase from the year prior. Average annual outings for fly anglers also increased by 14%. Fishing license sales also surged nationally during the early pandemic, with states reporting increases of up to 25% in 2021 as the joys of “social fishtancing” caught on.

“When you get better and better at fly fishing, there’s this kind of evolution. At first, you just want to catch a fish. But eventually, you don’t even care if you catch a fish. You’re out there to enjoy the beautiful scenery, the clear water, the fresh air,” added Gawesworth.

The 2022 season of the Far Bank Fly Fishing School includes six chapters, covering all the basics needed to get out on the water:

1. What is Fly Fishing?
2. Basics of Fly Fishing Gear
3. Essential Knots
4. Making the First Cast
5. Basic River Fly Fishing Tactics
6. Basic Lake Fly Fishing Tactics

About Far Bank

We are anglers and adventurers with a shared mission to deliver outstanding products and extraordinary experiences to our vibrant fly fishing community through our brands (Sage Fly Fishing, Redington, RIO Products, and Fly Water Travel), education, and conservation initiatives. For more information about Far Bank please visit www.farbank.com. For media inquiries, contact Chris Hrenko at Pale Morning Media (chris@palemorning.com).

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