Introduction to Spey with Simon Gawesworth & Brian Niska

August 7-12, 2023

Skeena Spey Riverside Wilderness & Lodge,
British Columbia

Join Far Bank's Education and Engagement Manager Simon Gawesworth and renowned Spey casting instructor Brian Niska for a highly educational, in-depth introduction to Spey school. The school will be held at Brian Niska's Skeena Spey Riverside Wilderness & Lodge, upstream of Terrace BC, on the renowned Skeena River.

Far Bank's Introduction to Spey is a five-night, four-day package designed to teach participants the fundamentals of Spey casting as well as the most productive swing-fishing techniques used to target steelhead and other anadromous species. The program will take place on the Skeena River,  just east of Terrace British Columbia. The Skeena is arguably the most famous anadromous watershed in North America, and during our select dates, anglers will have the opportunity to encounter trophy wild steelhead bright from the seas as well several species of Pacific salmon. 

Designed for anglers new to the sport, this trip to Skeena Spey with Brian Niska and Simon Gawesworth is sure to be an exciting and educational adventure. Simon will be traveling with the latest Sage fly rods and RIO fly lines perfectly matched for the Skeena. Students will learn in the classroom on select mornings and evenings and spend the first day on the river learning to cast with Brian, Simon and other casting instructors. The second day of the course is designed to teach anglers how to fish the swing using both Scandi and Skagit heads, all while wade fishing on the home water. The remaining two days concentrate on putting into practice the skills learned with two days of guided fishing with Skeena Spey's top Spey guides.

Far Bank 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 three students per instructor, and on the putting-into-practice fishing days, only two guests per professional guide.

Group Size: 8 students

Itinerary:

  • August 7: Arrive Terrace, BC. Welcome dinner.
  • August 8: Classroom and casting sessions with Simon and Brian.
  • August 9: Morning classroom session, followed by a full day of fishing.
  • August 10: Full day of guided Spey fishing and instruction.
  • August 11: Full day of guided Spey fishing or a full day casting clinic with Simon and the Skeena Spey guides.
  • August 12: Depart lodge.

Rate:
$5,390 USD per person based on double occupancy
$5,980 USD per person based on single occupancy

Included:

  • Use of Sage, Redington, and RIO demo gear
  • Accommodations
  • All meals at the lodge
  • Fishing instruction
  • Guided fishing
  • Casting and knot instruction
  • Tax
  • Flies

Not Included:

  • Airfare
  • Alcohol
  • Fishing license
  • Gratuities

Meet Brian Niska

Brian Niska is a speycasting instructor and guide. He runs Skeena Spey Riverside Wilderness & Lodge in Northern British Columbia. Brian is a board member of the BC Fishing Tourism Association and is a certified Two Hand Master Casting Instructor (THMCI) and a Master Casting Instructor (MCI).

Meet Simon Gawesworth

Simon Gawesworth’s impact and contribution to the world of fly fishing is legendary. His prolific career spans some 35 years. For those who have had a chance to learn from and fish with Simon, they will tell you that his humble, charming, and naturally delivered expertise is unmatched in the world of fly fishing.

In addition to finding the right water, having the right gear can help make any day that much better. For over 20 years Fly Water Travel has been fly fishing's most trusted and respected source for finding the right water. Now, along with Sage, RIO Products, and Redington, Fly Water Travel is a proud member of the Far Bank Family. As part of this larger team, we are able to access decades worth of manufacturing passion and knowledge enabling us to expand our role to include in-depth advice on the world's best rods, reels, lines, and flies.