2017 Academy: A success!
A second-year student, Logan Ball, sent us the following story from the 2017 Academy:
Sep 18
Grads: ready for the next step?
Graduates, if you are serious about pursuing Guiding in Bristol Bay and will be at least 17 years old by June 2017, then email Jenny to get your Advanced Academy application today.
2017 application period is OPEN
Tell your neighbors, tell your friends! We are now accepting applications for the 2017 Bristol Bay Fly Fishing and Guide Academy. This year, we'll be in Kokhanok at Intricate Bay Lodge from June 4-11, 2017.
Client day 2016!
Client Day of the Bristol Bay Fly Fishing and Guide Academy is here. Today, the local youth of this rural region of Southwest Alaska will show off the new skills they’ve learned throughout the week. This year, we’re at Mission Lodge on Lake Aleknagik in the heart of Bristol Bay’s world-class salmon country.
Day 5: Practicing for client day
Sunny weather beckoning, three float planes lined up at the dock, shore lunches packed and new Orvis gear donned, the group was more than ready for another big day on the water. The students were told that today was their last big trip before they'd guide their client. Given this, they set to work (and play too, let's be honest) ensuring they are ready to show their clients how to bring in a fish safely and while having lots of fun on Client Day.
Day 4: Making experts
It was fairly hard to break the news to our group that we didn't get to go fishing on Day 4. The boats were tied up with other things and mostly, we had lots of really important stuff to go over with the group.
Day 3: Gone fishin’
Historically, day three of the Academy is when the students come alive. They've gotten to know everyone's names, they've got the basics of fly fishing down, they're not shy around the instructors and after many hours in the classroom, they are SO ready to get out on the water.
Day 2: knots, flies & casting 101
The second day of the Academy is when we get down to business. Here's a glimpse into this action-packed day.
Day 1: What we knew, what we forgot, what we didn’t anticipate
As I type, Mission Lodge is buzzing. Forks are clanking, students are laughing. Someone just asked, "where are you from again?"(New Stuyahok, he answered). It smells like pizza, and I'm slurping down a Coke knowing we have a night of activities ahead - and the long days of June in Alaska will allow for them.
’16 Mission Lodge planning underway!
We had a record number of applicants for this years' Academy. Each of the last few seasons we've seen more and more Bristol Bay young people apply for the program and with that, the coordinators are both thrilled with the incoming class and disappointed to have to turn away so many qualified applicants!
Bristol Bay Fly Fishing & Guide Academy 