Sage Experiences Dry Fly Trout School with Simon Gawesworth, Zach Peyton and Oliver White at South Fork Lodge, Idaho
July on the South Fork of the Snake River is one of the moments every fly angler dreams of. As the summer sun warms the canyons, the river comes alive with legendary hatches, bringing the South Fork’s wild trout to the surface. The Sage Experiences Dry Fly Trout School at South Fork Lodge is your invitation to step into this window of perfection. This isn't just a classroom; it is a five-night immersion at one of the world's most prestigious sporting lodges, timed specifically to coincide with the most prolific dry fly fishing of the year.
Recently reimagined by Oliver White and Jimmy Kimmel, South Fork Lodge represents the gold standard for luxury in the American West. Located on a dramatic bend of the river, the lodge blends "rustic elegance" with world-class amenities, including spa-quality bathrooms, a private casting pond, and the iconic "Machete Bar"—home to one of the finest whiskey collections in the Rockies. With a family-style culinary program led by James Beard Award-winning talent, the lodge provides a sophisticated, high-end home base that is simply unmatched.
We’ll balance our time between the classroom and the water, focusing on the technical precision required for dry fly fishing. We will sharpen your accuracy and distance, ensuring you can reach rising fish with confidence. You’ll walk away with a toolkit of specialized presentation casts—from the reach cast to aerial mends—designed to achieve the perfect, drag-free drift. Once these skills are dialed in, you’ll spend two full days on the river with the South Fork’s elite guides to put your new techniques into practice on the water.
Whether you have been fishing for a few years and feel ready to get better, or you're a regular angler looking to break through a plateau, this week in Idaho is going to be an incredible adventure. Because this is a Sage Experiences school, we’ve got you covered with the latest premium Sage rods and RIO lines—all perfectly rigged and matched specifically for the technical water of the South Fork.
Every Far Bank Fly Fishing School is built to give you the skills and confidence for a lifetime on the water. We believe the best learning happens in small groups, so we keep our instructor-to-student ratios to an absolute minimum. During classroom and casting sessions, there is a maximum of four students per instructor. When it’s time for our putting-into-practice days, two guests will share a professional guide.
Space for this Sage Experiences School is limited to just eight students. Contact us today to reserve your spot for this world-class week on the South Fork.
Instructors: Simon Gawesworth and Zach Peyton
Host: Oliver White
Dates: July 12 - 17, 2026: 4 spots open
Itinerary:
July 12: Arrive South Fork Lodge
July 13: Classroom and casting sessions
July 14: Morning classroom session, full day of casting and on the water fishing instruction
July 15: Full day of guided fishing
July 16: Full day of guided fishing
July 17: Depart lodge
Rate: $8,483 per person based on double occupancy for a 5 night/4 day school (no single rooms available)
Included: Accommodations and meals, 2 days of fishing instruction, 2 days of guided fishing, use of Sage, Redington, and RIO demo gear, house beer, wine and spirits, terminal tackle and flies, tax
Not Included: Airfare, transportation to/from the lodge, top shelf liquor, fishing license, instructor, guide, and staff gratuities
SAGE EXPERIENCES PROVIDED TACKLE
Now as part of Sage Experiences, the world's finest tackle from Sage and RIO Products is included at all schools for no additional charge. Even if you're the type of angler who likes to fish your own gear, rest assured that once you arrive, our premium set ups will be ready and waiting for you to demo onsite at any time during your stay.
Meet Your Instructors
Learn from the best in the business. Our instructors aren't just guides; they are the architects of modern fly casting and technical trout tactics.
Simon Gawesworth - Lead Instructor
Widely acknowledged as one of the world's leading authorities on fly casting, Simon Gawesworth has spent his life dedicated to the art of the fly. As the Education and Engagement Manager for Far Bank, Simon is the voice and face of modern casting instruction. He has represented England in world championships and has authored numerous books and instructional videos that have shaped the way the world casts. Whether it’s mastering the double haul or a delicate reach cast, there is no better mentor.
Zach Peyton - Instructor and Guide
Zach Peyton is an elite instructor and guide with over 20 years of experience on the South Fork. His background is rooted in the highest levels of education and performance; he spent over a decade teaching fly fishing at Idaho State University and is a three-time winner of the Jackson Hole One Fly "Top Idaho Guide" award. Known for his patience and his ability to break down complex river dynamics into actionable skills, Zach specializes in "the chess match" of dry fly fishing. He is an expert at helping anglers read the water, improve their presentation, and choose the perfect rigging for any condition.
Oliver White - Host
Guide, owner, and RIO Products Ambassador Oliver White’s reputation in the sporting world began on the water, and his roots as a fishing guide continue to shape everything he does. From pioneering remote fly fishing frontier programs in the jungles of Guyana to guiding the technical flats of the Bahamas, Oliver brings a seasoned, global perspective to the South Fork. As an entrepreneur and lodge owner, he translates those years of guiding experience into a world-class operation. As your host, Oliver ensures that every detail at South Fork Lodge—from the hospitality to the tactical approach on the river—meets the highest international standards of excellence.
