Simon Gawesworth class - Anglers Lane

After successful events in 2011, 2012, and 2014, Simon Gawesworth has agreed to return for a sequel Spey Casting Instruction event Friday September 30 and Saturday October 1, 2016 at our Stonesthrow property on the Jackson River between Covington and Hot Springs, Va. The last three events were highly successful with many participants asking to sign them up again when Simon returns. We have had two spots open up for Friday and Saturday for those who may wish to learn from the best spey casting instructor in the world (in our opinion).

In addition to his job as marketing manager for Rio Fly Lines, Simon has written a variety of books and publications and produced DVD's on the art of Spey casting. We are honored to have someone as immensely qualified as Simon join us for the second year in a row. If you have ever wanted to learn the art of Spey Casting, then this is the time to learn. As some of the more experienced members of the 2011 class can attest, if you already know how to spey cast then your time with Simon will be just as worthwhile, as he breaks much of the class up into individual instruction tailored to the participant's casting level.

Part of the class involves smaller two-handed, or switch rods which one can use to reach the far side of banks when fishing for everything from trout on the Jackson, Holston or Yellowstone to Altantics on the Restigouche, Steelhead in BC or smallmouth fishing on the Maury or Jackson River.

We will be holding next year's spey casting class instructed by Simon again at our Stonesthrow on Jackson property, which he rates as among the best venues he has used for his spey casting lessons. As before, we limit the event to 6 fishermen per day so you get quality one-on-one time with Simon in addition to group instruction on basics. Each day with Simon will be $395 per person which includes lunch and mid-day snacks/soft drinks. You may choose one or both days. Because Simon is so well known and many of prior yearss participants have asked to sign up again, these slots should disappear fairly quickly.

In addition to his role as ambassador in the world of spey and two-handed casting, Simon serves as marketing director Rio Fly Lines (Rio is owned by Far Bank, parent of Sage fly rods). Here is more about Simon ...

Simon Gawesworth

Simon learned to fish at the age of 6 and took up fly fishing when aged 8, being trained by his father - well known fly fishing instructor and author, John Gawesworth. By the time he left school at 16 to teach fly fishing Simon had become the British Junior casting champion, repeating the feat the next year. In the following years. Simon broke seven British casting records and won the adult casting championships three times in succession, representing England in two European and one World Team Championships.

With the collapse of the British Casting Authority and the tournament casting scene in the UK, Simon turned his hand to competitive fly fishing. Over the following years Simon represented England in three home internationals (against Ireland, Scotland and Wales), two European championships and five World Championships, culminating in the prestige of becoming the England Team Captain and Manager for the 2003 World Championships in Spain.

During his career Simon has written numerous articles for the fishing press, published two books on spey casting, presented five instructional videos and DVD’s, appeared on numerous television and radio shows, demonstrated casting at fly fishing shows around the world and is recognized as one of the leading authorities on fly casting and fly casting instruction. Simon’s latest book, entitled “Single Handed Spey Casting” has just been published by Stackpole Books (and naturally is available here Angler's Lane).

He is a Master and THCI (Two Handed Casting Instructor) certified instructor and also holds the APGAI and STANIC diplomas for Fly Fishing Instruction in the UK.

Simon works for RIO products in Idaho where he designs and tests fly lines, as well as serving as marketing manager for RIO. He conducts fly casting classes and seminars around the world. Simon is the brains behind Speyborn, LLC a link from Rio Fly Lines. A slideshow of speycasting can be found at the Speyborn site.

Expand your fly fishing horizons to the world of Spey, where you two-handed rods can add considerable length to your cast and help you work more water more efficiently to enhance your fishing enjoyment !





Reserve your space now:
Rates - Simon Gawesworth Event Friday September 30, 2016 Instruction $395 Saturday October 1, 2016 Instruction $395 50% due upon booking and balance 10 days prior to event.




Participants may want to wrap a guided trip on the Jackson around their lesson date. If so please give us a call. See photos and rates below.
Full Day Float Trip on Jackson R Raft for 1-Person or 2-Person $460 total Full Day Walk-in Trip on Jackson R 1-Person $325 2-Person $395 Overnight at Stonesthrow 1-Person $170 2-Person $260 3-Person $350 4-Person $440 Includes lodge rental and sales tax, plus fishing rights at Stonesthrow. Add $90 for each additional person. Fishing rights to our River Edge Retreat property available at an additional $25 per person per day.