June 11-15, 2025
Enrollment Capacity: 14 students
Blending scientific principles with practical techniques, this course will deepen your understanding of the science behind each cast. Students will explore the interconnected world of fish behavior, aquatic foodwebs and ecosystems, and the physics of fly fishing.
In this course, students will:
- Explore the biology of fish and how it influences their behavior and feeding patterns.
- Understand the life cycles of aquatic insects and how to match your fly patterns to the environment.
- Dive into the physics of casting, including how water currents and fly presentation affect your success.
- Learn sustainable fly fishing practices to help preserve the waters we love to fish.
- Gain a deeper appreciation for the ecosystems that support fishing, with an emphasis on conservation efforts that protect freshwater habitats.
You will leave with enhanced technical skills, a broader understanding of freshwater ecosystems, and a deeper connection to the underwater world of the fish that you catch.
**Open to all skill levels, from beginner to advanced anglers.**
Course modules include:
- Hydrology and Trout Conservation seminar
- Aquatic Entomology and Fly Fishing: Collecting and observing aquatic insects
- Fly Fishing on Moving Water: A full-day field trip on the Straight River
- Phenology of Fly Fishing
Instructors
Carl Haensel is a fly fishing guide, biologist, conservationist, photographer, educator and author. He teaches post-secondary courses on ecology, biology and geology for teachers and educators and is passionate about outdoor education. Carl is the author of two books about fishing in Minnesota: Fly Fishing Minnesota and Minnesota Fly Fishing Maps.
Jade Thomason has a degree in conservation biology and is an editor, artist and writer. Her background is in forest ecology and entomology, and she has been a long-time collaborator with Minnesota Trout Unlimited.
See Carl and Jade’s website for more information about them and their work.
All registered students will receive a copy of Fly Fishing Minnesota as part of the course.
Program Schedule
Wednesday, June 11
- 3 p.m. - Check-in (Biome Center - building 75)
- 4-6 p.m. - Station orientation and course welcome (Lakeside Laboratory - building 44 upper)
- 6-7 p.m. - Dinner (Dining hall)
- 7-9 p.m. - Hydrology and Trout Conservation: Seminar on the connection between stream flow and fly fishing (Lakeside Laboratory - building 44 upper)
- 9-10 p.m. - Optional Group Campfire
Thursday, June 12
- 7-8 a.m. - Breakfast and pack a bagged lunch (Dining hall)
- 8-10 a.m. - Fly Casting Gear, Physics & Skills: Gear and technique overview, practice dry casting (Parmelee field)
- 10 a.m.-1 p.m. - Fly Fishing for Panfish on Lake Itasca: Cast from the shoreline and pontoon boat
- 1-2 p.m. - Break
- 2-3 p.m. - Aquatic Entomology and Fly Fishing: An introduction to aquatic insects and foodwebs (Lakeside Laboratory - building 44 upper)
- 3-5 p.m. - Aquatic Entomology and Fly Fishing: Collect and observe aquatic insects (Station docks)
- 5-6 p.m. - Break
- 6-7 p.m. - Dinner (Dining hall)
- 7-9 p.m. - Optional Fly Tying Instruction (Lakeside Laboratory - building 44 upper) or Independent Fishing
Friday, June 13
- 7-8 a.m. - Breakfast and pack a bagged lunch (Dining hall)
- 8 a.m.-5 p.m. - Fly Fishing on Moving Trout Water: A full-day field trip on the Straight River
- Ecological and functional roles of insects in running water
- Observations of stream hydrology and fish habitat in situ
- Running water fly fishing demo
- Time to fish the river
- 6-7 p.m. - Dinner (Dining hall)
- 7-9 p.m. - Optional Fly Tying Instruction (Lakeside Laboratory - building 44 upper) or Independent Fishing
Saturday, June 14
- 7-10 a.m. - Optional morning fishing on Elk Lake by canoe
- 10-11 a.m. - Brunch (Dining hall)
- 11 a.m.-1 p.m. - Phenology of Fly Fishing & Fish Biology
- 1 p.m.-3 p.m. - What Makes and Angler: How to navigate gear, knots, & rigging on your own
- 3-4 p.m. - Break
- 4-5 p.m. - Stillwater Trout Fishing Techniques: Cold water hydrology and fishing cold water lakes
- 5-6 p.m. - Dinner (Dining hall)
- 6-10 p.m. - Fishing Long Lake by canoe
Sunday, June 15
- 7-8 a.m. - Continental breakfast (pack a bagged lunch for the road)
- 8 a.m. - Checkout
- Optional fishing independently on the Kabekona or Straight River on the way home (with tips from instructors on good spots to stop!)
Program Cost
Program cost is inclusive of tuition, meals and lodging. There are two options for lodging, with different price points:
- $1,200 with 'faculty cabin' lodging option
- $1,080 with bunkhouse lodging option
Mobility, Accessibility, and Field Preparedness
Itasca Station is working hard to break down barriers to field participation. As we work to make progress, the station is committed to identifying barriers to access, and communicating accessible aspects of our programs/facilities to help individuals identify whether they can safely participate. Those with mobility concerns should reach out to station staff ([email protected]) before registering.
To comfortably engage in this course, participants must be comfortable putting on and walking in waders, climbing up stream banks, and walking for a distance of at least 0.5 miles without needing to sit and rest. Optional field trips require the ability to enter/exit a canoe from shore, to sit in a canoe for an extended period, and to paddle a canoe. Please be aware that during extended field trips, bathroom facilities will not be easily accessible. Participants should be prepared to use natural surroundings. We will ensure appropriate guidance on how to do this discreetly and respectfully for everyone involved. Restroom breaks will be scheduled during transit to/from field sites.
See our Life At the Station webpage for information on accessibility at the station.
What to bring
Participants in the Science of Fly Fishing need to bring a Minnesota fishing license with a trout stamp. Participants are encouraged to bring their own gear (waders, wading boots, rods, life jackets). Flies and terminal tackle (leaders, tippets, slipshot) will be provided. For those who do not own gear, rods and life jackets will be available for loan and waders/wading boots will be available for rental on site. See the Science of Craft homepage for a general packing list.
This course is part of our Science of Craft program. Check out the program homepage for details about our cancellation policy, meals, lodging, a general packing list, and recreational opportunities available during the course.