The Trout Connection Fly Fishing Education
Strengthening the bond between people and the natural world through the art of fly fishing.
Our program focuses on teaching the skills and values that promote confidence and independence, while also instilling the respect and stewardship that embody the joy of fly fishing.
The trout Connection is a five-day immersive class designed to make you a better fly fisherman or fly fisherwoman, pure and simple. With a low two-to-one student-to-instructor ratio, our classes provide students the opportunity to learn at their own pace, regardless of their experience level. Classes prioritize time on the water, combined with skill-building workshops and discussions. Topics include choosing the proper equipment, rod rigging, casting mechanics, and line management. Students will also learn how to assess weather and water conditions to determine which techniques, rigs, and flies to select. Students will gain experience in reading the water, recognizing the proper drift, setting the hook, and efficiently playing, handling, and releasing fish. We even cover basic river safety, boat rigging, and rowing to help prepare you for a lifetime of adventures on the water fly fishing. From the first cup of coffee to the final nightcap, the day will be spent researching, discussing, preparing, and practicing all the skills and fine details necessary to achieve your goals.
At the Trout Connection we believe that fly fishing is ” moving meditation”. This activity demands your full attention, allowing the other distractions of life to fade away. This embodies the true essence of connecting to something greater than fishing; it serves as a bridge that links us directly to the natural world. Be prepared to be challenged while enjoying an exciting and unforgettable experience!
Class Information
Class: The Trout Connection
Dates: Sunday, October 9th through Saturday, October 13th
Location: Towerhouse and Paradise Yurts - Paradise Valley, MT
Class Size: 6 students max
Instructors & Presenters: Eric Knoff, Adam Knoff, Bill Buchbaure
Cost: $6,500 per student
Details
Class Title: The Trout Connection
Class Description: The primary goal of the The Trout Connection is to inspire the bond between the spirit and sport of fly fishing with an emphasis on mentoring each angler to improve their knowledge and skill surrounding the greater goal of catching fish on the fly. The course dives head first into the practical skills necessary for success in this complex sport. Skills such as choosing the proper equipment, casting mechanics, reading the water, line management (in and out of the river), hook setting, and fish handling are just a few topics emphasized during the class. Students will also learn the ins and outs of preparing a raft and drift for a day on the water.
Location: The Trout Connection is based in the heart of Paradise Valley along the banks of the famed Yellowstone river. Surrounded by mountains and water, this location represents the ideal environment to inspire the human spirit with the adventure of fly fishing. The Tower House property offers guests the perfect combination of comfort and access in one of the most iconic landscapes in the world. Tower House website.
Instructors: With over fifty years combined guiding experience our instructors have helped thousands of individuals discover fly fishing. Along this journey, we have formed a lifelong love for the sport and a desire to offer a more comprehensive learning experience to our guests. Primary Instructors - Eric Knoff, Adam Knoff, Bill Buchbauer
Curriculum: In addition to our overall focus on nature and awareness, we will cover a wide array of fly fishing information including: terminology; gear & equipment; basic and more advanced fly casting; lines, leaders & tippets; line handling & management; knots; fishing ethics; stream etiquette; wading techniques; spotting & stalking a trout; setting the hook; controlling and playing the fish; releasing the fish; insects and other fish food; flies; leader construction; reading water; mending; dry fly presentations; fishing difficult currents; getting the best possible drift; the basics of drift boat fishing; setting up a nymph rig; nymphing techniques; streamer techniques; soft hackle & wet fly techniques; choosing the right fly & presentation for any situation; preparing a raft/drift boat for a day on the water. Students will also be put on the oars and learn the basic techniques of rowing and boat positioning.
Lodging: All students will stay in private, single-occupancy rooms at the Tower House and Yurts.
Food: Breakfast and lunch will be provided during the class. Students will be on their own for dinner. There is a large full-service kitchen in the Barn that students can use to prepare their own food. There are also multiple restaurants within 15 minutes of the Tower House.
Gear: We recommend that every student attend class with at least one rod and reel setup of their own. We also recommend that each student have their own wader and boot setup. This will allow each individual to become more familiar and comfortable with the gear they will use when they are not in class. Additional gear such as streamer rods, euro nymph rods, and standard nymph/dry fly rods will be provided to ensure a variety of options.
Learn from the Best
Bill Buchbauer
Twenty one years of experience guiding outdoor tours including fly fishing, Heli skiing and big game hunting. Over two thousand days in the field with clients. Strong leadership skills and ability to organize and lead activities in remote outdoor environments. Strong logistical and problem solving abilities combined with exceptional personal communication skills between operators, staff and guests to fulfill owner and client expectations.
Adam Knoff
Adam grew up in Minnesota with his twin brother, Eric. He moved to Montana in 1995, where he continued to explore his passion for fishing and mountaineering. After studying social studies education at Montana State University, he became a professional mountain guide in 2001. During the off-season, Adam guides climbing expeditions on some of the world's highest peaks in locations such as Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Alaska, Russia, and Nepal. He contributed to the creation of the Khumbu Climbing School in Nepal, a non-profit dedicated to teaching the Sherpas critical skills to safely work with Western climbing expeditions. Adam is extremely patient on the water and always maintains a sense of humor while working hard to get the job done, whether it involves climbing a summit or finding hungry fish. Adam resides in Bozeman and spends his free time raising his two sons.
Eric Knoff
Eric grew up fishing in Minnesota lakes, pursuing walleye, pike, and bass. In the mid-1990s, he moved to Montana to attend Montana State University and quickly became captivated by fly fishing. After college, Eric worked as a climbing guide for Exum Mountain Guides in Teton National Park. In 2012, after a decade of guiding in the mountains and fishing stunning mountain rivers and lakes whenever he could, Eric shifted his guiding focus to fly fishing.
Eric loves sharing his passion for fly fishing and his deep knowledge of local waterways with clients. As a full-time outfitter and owner of Fly Fish Montana, Eric and his skilled guides look forward to hosting you on your next Montana adventure. Whether you’re learning to cast or are an experienced angler, Eric and his team are dedicated to ensuring your fishing experience is enjoyable, safe, and unforgettable.
Location
Trout Connection is in the heart of Paradise Valley, MT—one of the world’s most iconic landscapes. Surrounded by the towering peaks of the Absaroka Mountains and bisected by the famed Yellowstone River, this region embodies the perfect environment to inspire the human spirit through the adventure of fly fishing. The Tower House property provides guests with the ideal mix of comfort and accessibility, creating an unforgettable experience found only in the heart of Yellowstone country.
www.towermontana.com
The Tower House is perfectly situated on 14 acres that border 16 acres of State Land, offering direct access to the Yellowstone River, which provides incredible privacy and ample opportunities for wildlife watching and, of course, fishing! Unobstructed mountain and river views surround the property.
Beautiful outdoor spaces encircle the Tower House. A gravel trail descends from the house, merging into a worn grass path that provides direct river access. This location is ideal for learning about the river and the surrounding ecosystem. Excellent floating and wade fishing are just minutes away, offering unmatched opportunities to connect with the environment and of course a few nice trout!
Class Itinerary
Day one - October 9th:
Arrive at the Tower House around noon. Introductions and a property tour. Review gear list and prepare for an afternoon float on the Yellowstone River. Assess students' abilities and work on basic casting, line management, and fly selection. End the day with a fire, BBQ, and a social hour. DYI dinner.
Day Two - October 10th:
Breakfast in the barn at 7:30 am. Present the day's agenda. A full-day float on the Yellowstone will allow one to learn various techniques, cast different rigs, read diverse water conditions, discover the river ecosystem, and even practice rowing a boat. There will be a lunch break followed by afternoon casting practice. DIY dinner. Free fishing and exploring are encouraged.
Day Three:
Breakfast in the barn. Full float on the Yellowston River. Emphasis on students understanding and tying nymphing rigs. Walk-wade fishing instruction. Lunch on the water. Rowing instruction. There will be evening knot-tying and rigging instruction in the commons area. Hi-vis mirage for demonstrations. DIY dinner. Free fishing and exploring.
Day Four:
Breakfast in the barn. Full-day Yankee Jim Canyon or Gardiner raft adventure. Dry fly fishing techniques with an emphasis on reading water, river safety, and logistics. Lunch on the water. Evening practice for trailer backing and boat launching at Loch Leven.
Day Five:
Breakfast in the barn. Full day of Spring Creek or small stream walk wade: Focus on technical fly fishing techniques and presentations. Lunch on the water. In-depth discussion on entomology. Stewardship and conservation. Evening dinner celebration and send-off.
Evening activities include - Hitting golf balls on the Tower House driving range, Casting to rising trout, Wildlife viewing, relaxing with a cocktail, exploring local establishments, watching a Montana sunset, and falling asleep to quiet, star filled sky!
