About the School
A place to learn, to focus, and to fall in love with fly fishing.
The Wulff School of Fly Fishing is a modern teaching academy in the heart of the Beaverkill Valley — the birthplace of American dry fly fishing. We blend clear instruction with hands-on practice, and offer supplemental guiding for real river time on private water.
Our approach is simple: teach the sport with clarity, patience, and respect for the river. Students come to get better at casting, studying hatches, reading water, and understanding trout behavior, and they leave with a deeper sense of calm, focus, and connection to the sport.
We teach a modern adaptation of the Wulff Method , developed by Joan and Lee Wulff here in the Beaverkill — efficient, intuitive casting built from fundamentals you can trust in any river. Class sizes are small, instructors are world-class anglers, and the setting elevates everything we do.
Honoring the Wulff Legacy
Joan and Lee Wulff were luminaries in the rich tradition of fly fishing and were two of its leading pioneers. Joan Wulff started in casting competitions when just a schoolgirl, then progressed to champion, author, instructor, and spokesperson for the sport. She developed a methodology for fly fishing that is simple, straightforward, and extremely effective. Lee Wulff was responsible for popularizing fly fishing to a mass audience through the ABC TV program American Sportsman. He was also a mechanical engineer, a tireless inventor, author, illustrator, teacher, explorer, and advocate of catch-and-release fishing. In 1979 Joan and Lee co-founded the Wulff School of Fly Fishing, and it is our privilege to continue their legacy today.
Continuing the Wulff Tradition Through Practice
We honor the Wulffs not through mere nostalgia, but through the continuation of their values in our everyday actions. Their influence lives on in the way we approach teaching, conservation, and community within our school.
Clear, Accessible Instruction
Instruction is delivered in a way that is easy to understand and accessible to all. We strive to ensure that every angler, regardless of experience, feels supported and encouraged to learn.
Deep Respect for Fish and Water
Central to our philosophy is a profound respect for both the fish and the waters they inhabit. This ethic guides our approach to angling and instills a sense of stewardship in all who participate.
Conservation as Personal Responsibility
We believe that conservation is not just a principle but a personal responsibility. Each member of our community is encouraged to take active steps to preserve and protect the environment for future generations.
Empowering, Not Intimidating, Education
Our teaching philosophy centers on empowering every student, ensuring that each individual feels confident and supported throughout their learning journey. Rather than intimidating or overwhelming learners, we create an atmosphere where education is positive and uplifting, allowing students to grow and develop at their own pace.
To achieve this, we offer one-on-one instruction tailored to the student's current level of casting experience. By meeting each student where they are, we provide personalized guidance that addresses their unique strengths and areas for improvement. This approach not only fosters skill development but also encourages a sense of accomplishment and enthusiasm for angling.
Inclusion and Openness
Inclusion and openness are core values of our school. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
The values of the Wulffs continue to shape our school today, guiding modern anglers as they learn on the very waters that nurtured the Wulff tradition.
Learn from the legends, learn from the best!
The professional staff of the Wulff School of Fly Fishing have taught hundreds of students from novices to pros how to improve their technique and understanding of fly fishing.
Your Instructors:
Sheila Hassan is the director at the Wulff School of Fly Fishing and teaches casting seminars and private lessons throughout New England. Sheila is an International Federation of Fly Fishers Master Certified Casting Instructor. She is on the pro staff for TFO rods and Hatch Reels. . She has traveled extensively for fishing both fresh and saltwater. She is an IGFA world record holder for bonefish and bluefish and has published two books: Fly Casting: A Systematic Approach, and Starting in the Salt: Saltwater Fly Casting.
Matt Hart was born and raised with hunting and fishing in his blood, He has been exploring upstate New York and Vermont his whole life. A tournament angler in his twenties, he is now sharing his passion for teaching the art of fly fishing in the Catskills. Hart serves as a Wulff School certified instructor and teacher at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum.
When Hart isn't on the water or in the woods guiding, he can be found along the banks of the Main Stem of the Delaware River or in his studio and gallery. There, he tends to his passion for welding and forging much sought after metal sculptures he calls The Forged Fly. These custom works of art honor the innovation and craftsmanship of fly tyers around the world.
Mark Wilde began fly fishing and fly tying at the age of 12 and has been an integral part of the Wulff School since 2010. Mark is a Fly Fishers International Certified Casting instructor and licensed guide, offering experiences in both Vermont as well as New York. When not guiding, Mark provides casting instruction throughout the year at a variety of recreation programs, schools, and vacation resorts. Mark’s angling pursuits have taken him to a variety of freshwater and saltwater locations, most recently the Bahamas and New Zealand.
Dusty Wissmath has been fly fishing since the age of 8, and has been guiding and teaching fly fishing since the early 70s. He is a member of the IFFF Board of Governors and is on the pro-staffs of several fly fishing tackle manufacturers. When not teaching for the Wulff school, he runs his own casting school and guide service.
Craig Buckbee is an IFFF Master Casting Instructor, and licensed guide in NY and PA. He enjoys the dichotomy between upstate and city - teaching year round, in NY's Central Park and here on our rich Catskill waters. He is a National tournament medal winner with the American Casting Association, and a Pennsylvania Fly Casting champion. Recently he has been spending time abroad, interviewing fish in Argentina, Kiribati and Greenland. Craig is on the HMH Vise Pro team, and on Industry Guide programs of several other fine gear manufacturers
School
Two hours from New York City, the Beaverkill Valley feels like a world apart — quiet, grounded, shaped by the sound of water over stone. The Beaverkill River has taught generations of anglers, including Joan and Lee Wulff, and it continues to teach anyone who steps into its flow.
Here you’ll fish private stretches of iconic trout water with low-pressure, natural structure, and you’ll get immediate feedback that makes learning real. Every season reveals something different: in spring, currents; in summer, hatches; in autumn, clarity.
The campus sits on a bend in the valley and hosts casting lawns, training ponds, and trails, with the river always close enough to hear. It’s a place built for concentration and presence. Progress happens quickly when the landscape helps you learn.
The Beaverkill Valley
Scroll down to see our current class descriptions and openings.
TROUT SCHOOL
2026 Sessions: $795 Tuition onlyMay 1–3May 29–31June 12–14
Trout School: Mastering Fly Fishing Fundamentals
Our signature Trout School offers an immersive entry into the essential fly-fishing fundamentals required for success on a trout stream. This program is tailored for both motivated beginners and experienced anglers who want to refine and sharpen their skills. Over the course of a weekend, participants receive hands-on casting instruction combined with practical river knowledge, creating a comprehensive learning experience.
Course Structure
The Trout School spans 2½ days, providing a strong foundation in core aspects of fly fishing through a carefully designed curriculum. Instruction takes place on both a pond and a river, ensuring exposure to different fishing environments.
Key Learning Areas
Casting Techniques: Practice casting on both still and moving water to build accuracy and confidence.
Water Reading & Trout Behavior: Learn to interpret water features and understand how trout move and feed in varying conditions.
Stream Entomology & Fly Selection: Gain insight into aquatic insects and how to choose the right flies for each situation.
Approach, Presentation, & Line Control: Master the skills needed for effective fly presentation and controlling the line for optimal results.
Knots & Tackle Essentials: Develop proficiency with the knots and tackle necessary for fly fishing.
Wading Techniques & River Safety: Learn safe and efficient techniques for wading and navigating river environments.
Playing, Landing, & Releasing Fish: Understand how to play, land, and release fish responsibly to support conservation and ethical angling.
Expert Instruction
Participants benefit from working closely with master instructors who have taught thousands of anglers using the renowned Wulff Method. This approach to casting is clear, efficient, and confidence-building, allowing students to progress quickly and effectively.
CASTING SCHOOL
2026 Schedule: Tuition $795.00 Tuition onlyApril 24-26Casting is considered the language of fly fishing, and this school is designed to help participants master it with fluency. Our weekend Casting School is ideal for anglers those who have completed our Trout School, as well as those looking to improve their casting technique in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
With small group sizes and individualized coaching, each student advances at their own pace. The instruction focuses on developing efficient, controlled, and repeatable casting mechanics that are essential for successful fly fishing.
Core Instruction Areas
Building a foundation for accuracy and distance
Learning casting patterns to effectively cover water
Mastering shooting line with precision and control
Practicing curves, mends, and aerial adjustments to improve presentation
Developing techniques for managing wind and casting in tight spaces
Optional Advanced Topics
Double haul technique
Oval/Belgian cast method
Handling heavy flies
Fundamentals of spey or quick casting
Casting from kayaks or canoes
The emphasis throughout the course is on hands-on practice. Each drill is designed to build greater ease, confidence, and fluidity in casting, ensuring that students spend their time actively engaged and making tangible progress in their fly fishing skills.
Casting School
PRIVATE SCHOOL / CUSTOM CLASSES
Private Lessons and Custom Schools
Our private programs can be customized to meet your specific needs and interests. Whether you want focused skill development, casting refinement, on-water coaching, or a unique group activity, we will build a program just for you. Options include:
Skill development
Casting refinement
On-water coaching
Corporate retreats
Small group workshops
Designed for You
Whether you are looking for one-on-one instruction or planning a memorable group experience, our team will work with you to create a program that aligns with your goals.
For pricing and additional details, please call (802) 528-8546.
INSTRUCTOR SCHOOL
2026 Schedule: Tuition $895.00 onlyComing SoonThe Instructor Course is designed for anglers who wish either to teach others or to achieve complete mastery over their own casting techniques. This advanced training experience is structured to provide focused, high-level instruction.
Prerequisites
Participants are expected to be familiar with the Wulff Method and to have successfully completed both the Trout School and the Casting School before enrolling in this course.
Course Structure and Content
The course spans three days and incorporates a blend of classroom discussions, hands-on coaching, and practical teaching scenarios, all led by our master instructors.
Deepen your technical understanding of casting mechanics
Learn to diagnose and correct faults in others
Practice clear, concise teaching language
Build a framework for instructing individuals and groups
Refine your own casting to demonstration quality
Instructional Approach
Throughout the course, participants will engage in activities designed to strengthen their ability to analyze and improve casting skills — both their own and those of others. Emphasis is placed on developing effective communication for teaching, mastering demonstration-quality casting, and structuring lessons for a variety of audiences.
Instructor School
GUIDE SERVICES AT THE BEAVERKILL VALLEY INN
Private water. Skilled guides. A day built around you.
Our guide service offers quiet, focused days on the river with experienced instructors who know the Beaverkill intimately. You’ll fish private water, refine skills, and learn at your own pace.
What guiding includes
Personalized instruction based on your goals
Access to private stretches of the Beaverkill
High-quality gear (or bring your own)
Half-day or full-day options
Walk-and-wade trout outings
Skill-specific sessions (presentation, drift, reading water, etc.)
Guiding is ideal for intermediate anglers, returning students, couples, or anyone who wants a thoughtful, instructional experience rather than a high-pressure guided trip.
Contact Us
The Wulff School of Fly Fishing
P.O. Box 948, Livingston Manor, NY 12758
802-528-8546
The Wulff School of Fly Fishing is located 3 miles upriver from Lew Beach, NY and 2-1/2 hours (120 miles) by car from New York City. It is 75 miles from Stewart Airport in Newburgh, NY and 13 miles from Livingston Manor.
Class availability is limited. Call 802-528-8546, or use the form below to request your spot in a class, or you can book online here:
Book a Course
Schedule a course today, reserve a private lesson, or book a guided trip and stay at the Beaverkill Valley Inn. Our expert team is ready to provide personalized guidance tailored to your needs.
