West Yellowstone Trout Spey School with Simon Gawesworth and Big Sky Anglers
Whether you are a seasoned trout Spey angler or new to the sport, this trip to Montana is sure to be an exciting and educational adventure.
Students will learn in the classroom on select mornings and evenings and spend the first day learning to cast. The second day of the course is designed to teach anglers the many different fishing techniques you can fish trout Spey with, using both Sandi and Skagit heads, all while wading the rivers around West Yellowstone. The remaining two days concentrate on putting into practice the skills learned with two days of guided fishing with top trout Spey guides from Big Sky Anglers.
This course is designed to give you all the tools you need to enjoy and maximize the wonderful fun that is fly fishing with a trout Spey outfit. You will learn the various casts needed, a wide range of fishing techniques, and build up an understanding and knowledge of the wide variety of gear used when fishing with trout Spey outfits. In short, if you are even slightly interested in getting into the trout Spey game, this course will put you firmly on the right road.
Students in the course will have the opportunity to try the latest Sage, RIO and Redington trout Spey fishing equipment, all perfectly matched for the local waters surrounding West Yellowstone.
Anglers should be able to walk long distances and wade in typical western rivers where footings can be uneven and rocky. For the purpose of the school and logistics, anglers are required to stay at the lodge during the school.
Our fly fishing schools are designed so that students leave the course with all the knowledge and skills needed for a lifetime of enjoyment in fly fishing. We do this by keeping the instructor to student ratio to an absolute minimum. On group lesson days there will be a maximum of 4 students per instructor, and on the putting-into-practice fishing days, only two guests will fish with each.
Instructors: Simon Gawesworth, Justin Spence, and Matt Klara
Group Size: 8 students (A minimum of 6 students is needed to run the school.)
Dates: October 5 – 10, 2026
Itinerary:
October 5, 2026: Arrive West Yellowstone, MT / Transfer to lodge / Welcome dinner with Simon
October 6: Classroom and casting sessions with Simon and certified instructors Justin Spence and Matt Klara from Big Sky Anglers
October 7: Classroom and casting sessions with Simon, Justin, and Matt
October 8: Full day of guided trout Spey fishing with Big Sky Anglers
October 9: Full day of guided trout Spey fishing with Big Sky Anglers
October 10: Depart lodge
Rate: Per person for a 5 night/ 4 day school
Double Occupancy: $4,150
Single Occupancy: $5,150
Included: Accommodations and meals, transfers to/from West Yellowstone Airport, 2 days of fishing instruction, 2 days of guided fishing, use of Sage, Redington, and RIO demo gear, rental waders and boots, terminal tackle and flies, house beer and wine, tax
Not Included: Airfare, transportation to/from the lodge, alcohol, fishing license, instructor, guide, and staff gratuities
SAGE EXPERIENCES PROVIDED TACKLE
As a Sage Experiences School we eliminate the guessing game when it comes to preparing your tackle. During your school, you will have onsite access at no extra charge to the ideal Sage and RIO outfits for the fish you're targeting. 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.
Note: All guided fishing is provided by Big Sky Anglers
- Joe Moore, Big Sky Anglers, LLC Montana Outfitter License #8939
- Jonathan Heames, DBA Big Sky Anglers, LLC Montana Outfitter License #6878
- Justin Spence, DBA Big Sky Anglers, LLC Montana Outfitter License #998
- Big Sky Anglers, LLC Idaho Outfitter License #1981
- Jonathan Heames Idaho Designated Agent / Guide License # 911
- Jonathan Heames Madison River SRP #5
- Joe S. Moore DBA Big Sky Anglers, LLC Yellowstone National Park CUA16-288 – Stream and Shoreline Fishing
