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 16 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
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
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)
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
Gear includedBeginner lessons

Intro to Fly Fishing - Echo Adventure Cooperative (via Rush Creek Lodge)

Full-day (8 hr) private 'Intro to Fly Fishing' trip for 2-7 people; also Family Fun half-day

Where: GrovelandWhen: Year-round; High Country trips June through NovemberCost: $230 per person (groups 5+ contact for pricing)
Gear includedFly shop

Kern River Fly Shop

Beginner Clinic (classroom/on-water); ~4-hour Beginner Guided Trip covering entomology, casting, knots and technique, mostly on the water

Where: KernvilleWhen: Beginner Clinic #1: October 17, 2026; guided trips season not listedCost: Beginner Clinic $150; Beginner Clinic + Prodigy rod combo $350; guided trip prices not listed
Gear includedGuide

Sierra Drifters Guide Service

Trips designed so novices can catch fish with minimal instruction; friendly teaching approach; half-day (4.5-5 hrs) or full-day (7-8 hrs)

Where: Mammoth LakesWhen: Year-round: general trout season last Saturday in April - Nov 15; winter streams Nov 16 - late AprilCost: Half day: $390 (1 angler), $500 (2), $600 (3). Full day: $490 (1), $600 (2), $700 (3). Cash/check rates; license, transport, tips, lunch ($27) not included
Gear includedFly shop

The Troutfitter

5-hour fly fishing lesson with first-timer and family rates

Where: Mammoth LakesCost: First-timer/family rate saves $50 on 5-hour lesson; base price not listed
Gear includedGuide

Tight Line Fly Guide (via Evergreen Lodge)

Private half- and full-day trips suited to beginners learning 'the art of the fly'

Where: Groveland / MariposaWhen: Year-round, conditions permittingCost: Half day (4 hr) $475 first angler + $75 each additional; full day (7 hr) $650 + $85 each additional
Women's offeringGear includedFreeClub

Long Beach Casting Club

Free monthly fly casting class on the 2nd Sunday, open to the public with no reservation. Other public classes include Beginning Fly Tying (Tuesdays, 10/20/2026 to 3/2/2027) and Spey 101. Members can join the On-The-River Clinic (classroom Nov 7 and 14, 2026; river Dec 11-13, 2026).

Where: Long BeachWhen: Monthly, 2nd SundayCost: Casting class free. Membership: $65/yr individual, $75 family, $35 associate, $10 junior.
Women's offeringGear includedClub

Santa Barbara Flyfishers

Club says it will 'educate and love newbies to the sport,' with most learning included in membership. The homepage advertises a 'Basics' fly fishing class, a Beginning Fly Tying class, and pre-meeting mini-classes such as 'Casting for All Levels.'

Where: Santa BarbaraWhen: Monthly meetings, e.g. Jan 6, 2026 and Oct 6, 2026, at The MacKenzie Center, 3111 State Street, Santa BarbaraCost: Ask the organizer