Nothing Beats Time On The Water
Timing is everything
How I Can Help
Fly Casting Instruction
As a Fly Fishers International (FFI) Casting Instructor (CI) Candidate, I would love to help you work on your cast. Whether you're a beginner just starting out or an intermediate angler looking to refine your technique, I can assist you in getting started on the right foot or help dial in the details and tackle any issues in your casting mechanics.
Fly Fishing Instruction
On-the-Water Lessons in the Core Skills needed for successful fly fishing.
1. Reading Water
Understanding fish behavior and the dynamics of moving water in order to locate fish.
2. Rigging
Choosing the right technique and style of presentation for the conditions at hand, and setting up your rig to deliver a successful presentation: fly selection, line/leader/tippet sizing, and tying knots.
3. Casting
Delivering your fly or flies to the target.
4. Line Handling
Managing your line while your fly is in the water. Minimizing slack, preventing drag, active presentations, and setting the hook.
5. Fighting and Landing Fish
The fish eats your fly, then what?
6. Handling Fish and Conservation
Safe and respectful fish handling practices are essential for catch and release angling. We’re responsible for caring for the natural resources we’re all lucky to enjoy.
Pinch your barbs.
Fly Tying Instruction
Fly Tying Instruction
Fly tying is a fantastic way to deepen your connection to the fish you pursue. There is a ton of great content out there to teach you how to tie every fly imaginable, but sometimes having someone there to help walk you through the techniques can really flatten the learning curve.
Made-to-Order Flies
Fly Tying Instruction
Dries, Wets, Nymphs, and Streamers. Quality materials tied on quality hooks. Orders are filled first come, first served and may take a while to complete.
Hand Tied Leaders
Hand Tied Leaders
Dry Fly Leaders, Wet Fly Leaders, Indicator Nymphing Leaders, Euro Nymphing Leaders and Monorigs, Streamer Leaders, and Topwater Bass Leaders.
A Little About Me
Matt Bernet
I grew up fishing with my dad, from dunking worms for panfish to casting lures for trout and smallmouth in upstate New York. I was introduced to fly fishing around 12 years old when my dad and uncle attended a fly tying course and came home with a vise, materials, and a fly rod. I thought it was the coolest thing. I’d spend hours casting at the lake for panfish and bass, experimenting with fly patterns to try on my next fishing trips. But as life goes, it all kinda fell to the wayside for a while. Moving around a few times as a teen and then serving in the Navy for 5 years, I forgot how much I enjoyed fishing. In 2022, after a great fishing trip to western North Carolina, throwing spinners with some old friends, I was hooked again. Within a month, I purchased a decent fly outfit and began consuming all the fly fishing content I could find; books, podcasts, videos, articles, and forums. Most importantly, I spent as much time as I could on the water or casting on the lawn. After a couple more months, I dug out Dad’s old vise and started tying flies. My passion for this sport continues to grow, and I’ve found that sharing the knowledge and experience I’ve gathered is also a great joy. I’m certainly no expert, but I feel I have a lot to offer others in their pursuit and hope to be of service to folks who need that little nudge over the hurdles we encounter while chasing fish on the fly. I’m creating this page in the fall of 2025 just to put it out there and see what comes of it. I may add some blogs and eventually link it to some social media profiles, but for now, I’ll just be here. Good luck out there!
