site made especially for you!
Kinni Campus Fly Fishing Schools
Kinni Outfitters Fly Shop along with it's top guides has teamed up to bring fly tying classes and fly fishing schools to help you learn the basics from tying to casting to catching. Intended for both the novice angler and expert alike. You'll be taught by one of the area's top professional fly fishing casting instructors who will ensure you come away with a thorough working knowledge and the skills needed for years of fly fishing enjoyment.
After fly fishing lessons, students can take advantage of great fly fishing on the Kinnickinnic River, one of the Midwest's best spring creeks— on site at Kinni Creek Lodge and Outfitters Fly Shop!
Bring your own gear or reserve it at Kinni Creek Lodge & Outfitters Fly Shop.
We will hold your school reservation with a Visa or Master Card.
Due to our intimate size and location, any cancellation affects us significantly. Consequently, we adhere to a strict cancellation policy. Cancellation notice is required at least 24 hours in advance by telephone if you cannot attend the class you are registered for. The fee is non-refundable for no-shows and last minute cancellations.
Register by phone or
email: guide@kinnicreek.com 1-715-425-7378.
Private lessons are a great way to get started in fly fishing, especially if you can't find a class on our schools page that fits into your schedule. Give us a call to book your private lesson, 1-715-425-7378.
Tenkara Introduction Class| $90.00 all gear supplied- 8 hours
This class is meant to provide a solid foundation for pursuing the art of tenkara fly fishing. In the morning we will discuss the origins of tenkara and its unique approach to fly fishing. We will discuss traditional Japanese fly design and tie some simple tenkara flies. We will then learn how to rig a tenkara rod and look at the knots that are most effective. In the afternoon we will go stream side to learn the fundamentals of casting. We will also look at several techniques that make tenkara an effective tool for catching trout. At the end of this class you should have all the knowledge necessary to be able to continue the path of tenkara on your own.
| Class | Date | Time |
| Co-ed with Matt | Sunday May 19th |
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
| Co-ed with Matt | Saturday June 22nd | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
***3 person minimum.
Kid's Day Camp | Watch for our Summer 2014 kids school! $300.00
Join Kinni Outfitters Fly Shop and Nick Altringer for a fly fishing day camp based at Kinni Creek Lodge & Outfitters Fly Shop! Participants will learn how to cast a fly rod, catch fish, tie knots, and learn how to tie their own flies. Throughout the week we will be spending time on local waters of the Kinni and other nearby destinations. The camp is designed for youth 10-13 years old (must be big enough to not need a booster seat in a vehicle). Bring your own snacks, lunch, water bottles, and sunscreen. Drop-off is between 8-9am and Pick-up is between 4-5pm. Cost includes T-shirt and use of all fly fishing and tying equipment (except waders which are not needed). Please register by phone.
Intro to Fly Tying Class & Knot Essentials | $40.00 all gear supplied- 4 hours
Knot Essentials: For those who need some hands on time with instruction before joining our on-water schools. Learn a knot to tie on a fly to your tippet material. Try joining some tippet to your leader with an easy and effective knot. These will be the two essential knots to get you fishing. Other knots will be discussed but will not be practiced by participants.
| Class | Date | Time |
| Co-ed with Nick | Saturday February 9th |
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 tying/1:00-2:00 knots |
| Co-ed with Nick | Saturday March 9th | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 tying/1:00-2:00 knots |
***3 person minimum.
Beginners Getting Started Class| $40.00 all gear supplied- 3 hours
This educational and fun class is perfect for newbies (or beginners that want a refresher). Your time will be split between classroom discussion and casting instruction. 1 hour of classroom, 1 hour of casting, 1 hour at Kinni Creek on the river. All gear is supplied. Limit of 6 people.
Items you'll cover at the Kinni Outfitters Fly Fishing School:
• Fly casting techniques
• Essential fly fishing knots
• How to choose your gear and tackle
• Fly fishing etiquette
• Proper fly selection
| Class | Date | Time |
| Co-ed with Nick | Saturday March 9th |
2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Co-ed with Andy | Saturday April 6th | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
| Co-ed with Andy | Saturday May 11th | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
Intermediate On-Stream Fly Fishing School | $90.00 - 5 hours
This is our intense 5-hour fly fishing school that fly fisherman been raving about. This class is geared toward advance beginners and intermediate-level fly fishers. It is also great for advanced fly fishers that would like a refresher. It is recommended that you have taken the Getting Started Class or an equivalent. 1 guide to every 5 students.
Items you'll cover at the Intermediate On-Stream Fly Fishing School:
• Fly casting techniques
• Essential fly fishing knots
• How to choose your gear and tackle
• Stream entomolgy (the science of insects)
• Proper fly selection
• How to read water and currents
• How to play, land, and safely release fish
To participate in the on-stream Kinni Outfitters Intermediate On-Stream Fly Fishing School, students must have the ability to knot a fly to their tippet; have a fitness level
to walk in and out of the Lower Kinni Canyon at the dam; walk on uneven
terrain, and wade in flowing water.
You will need to bring a matched fly rod & reel (4wt to 5wt suggested) and a selection of flies. You can also purchase recommended flies from our newly expanded Kinni Outfitters Fly Shop. Waders and boots are highly recommended, and a WI fishing license and Trout Stamp are required.
| Class | Date | Time |
| Co-ed with Andy | Sunday May 12th |
7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
| Co-ed with Andy | Saturday June 1st | 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
***3 person minimum.
All Day A-Z Fly Fishing School | $140.00 - 9.5 hours class time
This school is an all inclusive in one day fly fishing school. You will start the day with our Beginners Getting Started Class from 9:00-12:00, then move on to Knot Essentials from 1:00-2:00, and finish the day with our Intermediate On-Stream Fly Fishing School from 2:30-7:30.
Come prepared for each segment with gear, snacks, and water bottle.
| Class | Date | Time |
| Co-ed with Nick | Saturday April 20th |
9:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. |
| Co-ed with Nick | Saturday May 18th | 9:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. |
***3 person minimum.
European Nymphing School | Watch for 2014 Dates | $100.00 - 6 hours
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
European nymphing is becoming a very wide spread topic and with increasing pressure on many fisheries different angling approaches are becoming more and more common. Throughout the history of fly fishing, anglers have tried to find new ways to outsmart their prey and at this point these modern nymphing techniques are producing results. In this class you will learn:
-Short Line Czech and Polish nymphing techniques
-Long Line Spanish and French nymphing techniques
-Dry/Dropper techniques
-Deciding when and where to use these techniques
-Confidence fly selections that will catch fish in most situations with these techniques
-How to systematically fish the water with each of these methods
-Rigging, sighters, and gear solutions
-(We will also take a kick sample of the bugs in the river and cover simple, but effective fly patterns that will match the bugs we find)
We invite you to come and join Tyler Befus, a 2012-2013 USA Youth Fly Fishing Team member, to learn about these very affective techniques to help you improve your angling skills. These nymphing techniques along with the other angling methods we will cover are great additions to your arsenal of tactics and are sure to improve your catch rate.
| Class | Date | Time |
| Co-ed with Tyler | Saturday March 30th |
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Co-ed with Tyler | Saturday April 13th | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Co-ed with Tyler | Saturday May 11th | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
***3 person minimum, 10 person maximum.
Tyler Befus
Tyler Befus is 14 years old and has been fly fishing since he was old enough to go along in a child backpack. He started fly casting and fly tying at the age of three and landed his first fly caught trout on his own shortly thereafter. He is the youngest member of the Ross Reels, Scientific Anglers, Simms Fishing Products, and Whiting Farms pro staff teams and is a Signature Fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants. Hobie Kayaks appointed him as their Youth Fishing Ambassador and he is honored to be a member of the 2012 / 2013 USA Youth Fly Fishing Team. He frequently presents fly fishing programs at numerous fly fishing and sportsmen’s shows around the country. Feature articles about Tyler have appeared in most of the major fly fishing and fly tying magazines in the US and abroad. He has fished the Rocky Mountain region extensively for trout and warmwater species. His fly fishing travels have taken him across the US in search of the some of the best fly fishing as well as Japan for Yamame, Iwanna and Japanese sea bass. Tyler has authored two book “A Kids Guide to Fly Tying” and “A Kid’s Guide to Fly Fishing” and recently completed a kids fly fishing instructional DVD. He holds I.G.F.A. Junior World Records for sheefish and kokanee salmon. His other interests include hunting, competitive swimming, piano, photography and drawing. This young dynamic angler lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with his mom, dad and three younger sisters.
