What students say about learning with Bill

We walked in knowing zero about fly fishing and left feeling confident enough to practice on our own. Bill made everything click by explaining the physics behind casting in a way that just made sense. He has immense expertise, is patient, and is down-to-earth, and you can tell he genuinely loves teaching. Rather than overwhelm us with technical jargon, he focused on getting us comfortable with the basics. We picked up so much in just one lesson and we can't wait to book our next.

Very accommodating to my schedule. Very clear initial session focused on all the basics like how to assemble and disassemble the rod n reel without losing or breaking things. Basics of the cast motion, how to practice (2 arms together), and lots more. Let me use a practice rod and came back in two days for a prolonged casting lesson. I feel confident I can practice at home and know what I'm doing right or wrong. He has years of experience working with Loomis, the golden gate fly fishing club and gave me all sorts of resources. Highly recommend this.

I have wanted to learn how to fly fish for a long time. I researched a course in the city, but it sounded too commercialized, so I chose Bill. The first class is 2 hours, but it seems like 10 minutes. Bill takes you through the basics and fundamentals using metaphor, teaching, and visualization. He won't move on unless you know what you're talking about. When you start learning the basics and casting, you may feel foolish when the line ends up in your face or you make mistakes, but Bill never makes you feel stupid. This was exactly what I expected and more. Bill has a great teaching style, and you will not regret taking lessons from him.

Right off the bat, you can tell that Bill is a master at his craft. I can say I knew nothing about fly casting/fishing, but wanted to learn from the ground up. Bill's been the perfect instructor and I've been working with him for over a month now. His patience and teaching style are what draw me back. He won't just teach you the “how”, but introduce you to the sciences of successful and unsuccessful casting techniques. An all around great teacher with a wealth of experience, knowledge, and sense of humor. Enjoy your first lesson. Highly recommended.

Wish I could give 10 stars. Bill is a master, and more importantly, a truly incredible teacher. It is so rare to find someone who is world class at both their craft as well as passing it onto others. Bill's lessons are worth every penny. I cannot say enough good things about him as a person and an instructor. I'm personally looking forward to many many more lessons with him, and for anyone who is looking to start fly fishing or improve their skills, there is literally nowhere else to even bother looking. Bill is worth flying to if you have to, simply put he is the best of the best.

I was a “terminal intermediate” fly caster. I wasn't improving and actually seemed to be getting worse the more I practiced. I had taken a group lesson where Bill was one of the instructors, and I tracked him down afterward for private lessons. Bill has changed my fly fishing life. I have made remarkable improvement. Bill has the ability to analyze the minute changes needed to correct any problem. Guides have complimented my casting, and my fishing trips to Argentina, Mongolia, and Cuba have been memorable and successful. I continue to take lessons from Bill and continue to improve.

Bill explained the simple geometry behind fly casting. It is effortless as Bill demonstrates. He also makes sure you know how to treat your equipment. There is a proper way to put the rod and reel together and take it apart. Anyone new to fly fishing needs the intro lesson. This was an invaluable lesson. I have things to practice before my first casting lesson, but I'm confident that I can undo all/most of the wrong that I tried/learned to do on my own.

I have fly fished for 25 years and thought my cast was decent, but suspected there was room for improvement. I realized my self-taught style wasn't forming proper loops and was causing problems with distance and wind. Bill described the theory simply and gave me great advice. I'm eager to practice and check in with him again. Highly recommended.

Bill is an excellent teacher, patient and thorough. The intro had a good balance of hands on and observation sessions. The time “flew” by. I have no prior experience with fly fishing and this is looking to be a very rewarding experience. Very excited and looking forward to the progression. Thank you.