Women Who Wade

Find your first lesson

Beginner lessons, women's clinics, clubs and welcoming shops across California. Tap any listing for the details and a link to sign up.

All of CaliforniaNorthern CaliforniaCentral California & SierraSouthern California
EverythingWomen's programsFreeGear included

Showing 15 places.

Women-onlyGear includedFreeWomen's group

Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club – Women's Program

Women's education events, gear and trip-planning help, fly tying, mentoring. Free beginner-friendly Spey intro Nov 8, 2026, open to non-members.

Where: San FranciscoWhen: Women's event Oct 22, 2026; Spey intro Nov 8, 2026Cost: Spey intro free; others not listed
Women's offeringGear includedFreeClub

San Jose Flycasters

Casting instruction, fly tying, rod building, knots class. Hosted a free National Women's Fly Fishing Day with a beginner casting class.

Where: San Jose / CampbellWhen: Women's Day June 28, 2026 (past); knots class Oct 20, 2026Cost: Women's Day free; class prices not listed
Women-onlyGear includedWomen's clinic

The Fly Shop – Women's 3-Day Fly Fishing School

Women-only 3-day live-in school for beginning and intermediate anglers: casting, tackle, knots, bugs, dry fly, nymph and streamer tactics, reading water, landing fish.

Where: Tennant (Antelope Creek Ranch); shop in ReddingWhen: Aug 20–23, 2026; 2027 session Aug 19–22Cost: $1,895 pp double occupancy; $2,450 single
Gear includedClub

California Fly Fishers Unlimited – Fly Fishing 101 & Mentor Outing

Two-part Fly Fishing 101 evening class plus a lawn casting clinic followed by a mentor outing on the water.

Where: SacramentoWhen: FF101 Nov 17 & 24, 2026; casting clinic Oct 24 & Nov 28, 2026Cost: Ask the organizer
Beginner lessons

College of Marin Community Ed – Fly Fishing 101

Multi-week adult class: evening sessions plus Saturday field trips. Max 14 students.

Where: KentfieldWhen: 2026 sessions ended; runs about twice a yearCost: Ask the organizer
Gear includedClub

Fly Fishers of Davis

FFD 101/201 beginner classes ending in a Hat Creek outing; casting clinics.

Where: DavisWhen: 101/201 not currently scheduledCost: Ask the organizer
Gear includedFly shop

Fly Fishing Specialties – Begin Your Journey Class

Beginner class at the shop: gear, flies, terminology, knots, casting. Max 10 people. Private lessons available.

Where: Citrus HeightsWhen: Usually 2nd Saturday monthly; call for datesCost: $50 per student
Guide

Fly Fishing Traditions (Clay Hash)

Fly Fishing 101 class, casting and Spey lessons, casting workshop, floating clinics.

Where: Lower Yuba River areaCost: Ask the organizer
Club

Gold Country Fly Fishers – Casting Skills Development

FFI casting sessions; Foundation level is for first-time fly rod users.

Where: Grass Valley / Nevada CityWhen: Next session Oct 17, 2026, Nevada CityCost: Ask the organizer
Gear includedFreeBeginner lessons

Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club – Free Monthly Casting Lessons

Free public group casting lesson; Level 1 beginners learn setup, roll cast, pick-up-and-lay-down and false cast. Free lunch after.

Where: San Francisco (Golden Gate Park casting ponds)When: 2nd Saturday monthly, 9:30 AM–noon; listed through Nov 2027Cost: Free (lunch included)
Club

Golden Gate Angling & Casting Club – Learn to Fly Fish

Structured 2-year trout program: Sunday casting lab, classes, guided fish-outs. Max 40 new students a year.

Where: San FranciscoWhen: Casting lab Sundays Oct–Feb; applications close in MarchCost: $125/yr plus membership; fish-outs extra
Guide

Matt Heron Fly Fishing – Cast N' Catch Class

3-hour beginner class on private stocked ponds; can pair with a river trip.

Where: TruckeeWhen: Year-roundCost: Ask the organizer
Gear includedGuide

MoJoBella Fly Fishing – Intro Package

Five private casting lessons plus a half-day guided drift on the Lower Sac for 1–2 anglers.

Where: ReddingWhen: Feb 1–June 8Cost: From $600
Gear includedBeginner lessons

The Fly Shop – 3-Day Fly Fishing Schools

3-day live-in school on casting and fly fishing basics for beginning and intermediate anglers.

Where: Tennant (Antelope Creek Ranch); shop in ReddingWhen: 2027: May 6–9, Aug 12–15 (co-ed)Cost: $1,895 pp double occupancy; $2,450 single
Fly shop

Trout Creek Outfitters

Guided walk-and-wade, float and stillwater trips; guides work with first-timers. Gear rentals.

Where: TruckeeWhen: Guided trips year-roundCost: Ask the organizer