Rod Building Workshops Make Fly Fishing Accessible to Lander Residents

In Lander, the Popo Agie River runs right through town with numerous public access points, creating prime fly fishing opportunities that many residents are interested in pursuing—but the cost of quality rods and reels deters people from trying the sport. When an outdoor educator participated in a rod-building workshop and loved the experience, he reached out to LOR with a plan to create free community classes that remove those obstacles. Three workshops over the course of a year will bring instructors from Sheridan to teach participants how to build their own fly rods, tie flies, and practice casting, with fishing outings scheduled between sessions to apply new skills. Building their own equipment not only makes fly fishing affordable initially but also gives participants the knowledge to repair rods when something breaks or wears out—a cost-saving skill that enables long-term enjoyment of the sport. LOR’s funding will help purchase fly rod–building kits, reels, line, flies, instructor fees, and refreshments for workshops serving up to 50 participants.