Map to the Academy

 2024 Fly Fishing Academy   June 22 – 29, 2024

Panhandle Lake

Panhandle lake

This private four acre lake is surrounded by a 100′ tall conifer forest.  A little feeder creek enters from the north and drains the lake on the southside and flows into  a nearby wetland.  There’s wide bottomed canoes and inflatable pontoon watercraft available for students to use under supervision.  It’s stocked with a few thousand trout the week prior to camp and it’s about 40′ deep.  There are usually large holdovers hiding in the depths,  if your skilled enough to hook one.  FYI   All our fishing is catch and release. 

panhandle lake view from grass

The Tying Rooms

Two tying areas are located in the Main Lodge. Upstairs is the Beginner Room where you’ll find enough vices, tools, lights, materials and space for everyone to tie flies. Downstairs is where the Intermediate Tier Tables are located. Outside of tying classes there is always a volunteer available to help with tying challenges. The academy is well stocked with fly tying reference books, tying materials of all sorts, enough to make hundreds of flies. Students are encouraged to practice their new tying skills during free time.  Regardless of the number of the flies you tie, you keep them all. 

Academy Staff

Our  T.U. and F.F.I. affiliated leadership team is comprised of three Academy Co – Directors who are all devoted fly fishing enthusiasts, an Academy Leader who’s been directing this program for many years, and a cadre of experienced Ghillies for girls and boys.  Plus our valuable volunteers that keep everything running smoothly.  The staff is all vaccinated and any adult that is staying overnight has passed the T.U. National background check.  Verification upon request. 

Training Locations

open air cabins at fly camp

A variety  of training venues are available for academy classes and activities.  Ranging in size and type from small outdoor huts and two  group campfire rings (if not too dry) to a  large multi roomed  Main Lodge.  

small campfire ring at fly camp
main meeting room at fly camp

Accomodations

sleeping bunks at Panhandle Lake fly fishing academy

                                                                There are seperate rooms for boys and girls, each with their own same sex ghillie.  Separate toilet and shower facilities are used.  Students need to bring their own sleeping bag, pillow, towels and toiletries.   

The Grounds

This private facility is on 500 acres of forested property ten miles west of Shelton, Washington.  A basketball court is available as well as a group BBQ hut.  There is a large lawn and multiple docks for fishing.  A hiking trail allows for exploring the forested shore area of the lake when accompanied by a Ghillie.  

trail scene at fly camp

Dock Area

view of panhandle lake from the dock

A large figure eight dock plus a separate 25′ dock provides easy launching of watercraft and casting practice platforms.   Life vests are required when students are on the docks and a short  ‘Swim Test’,  in the shallows, is given to each student,  in the presence of a  certified  lifeguard. ‘

Our Neighborhood

cascade mountains

Camp is in the shadow of the eastern Olympic Mountains.  The foothills surrounding the academy boast good fishing and you’ll be shuttled to these locations where you can put  your new  skills to the test.