Some clinics teach a skill. This one taught a skill, built a community, and put nine athletes on some of the most scenic water in the country. The 2026 CAF-Idaho Fly Fishing Basecamp ran in two parts: three days of hands-on education at the Idaho Outdoor Fieldhouse and Boise River, followed by an immersion weekend in Riggins, where the group hit the Salmon River by jet boat and drift boat. 

For many participants, this was their first time picking up a fly rod. By the end of the week, they were tying their own flies, reading water, and hauling in fish they never expected to catch. 

Phase One: Building the Foundation

The first stop was the Idaho Outdoor Fieldhouse, where the group spent three days getting comfortable with the basics. Casting mechanics, knot tying, and fly selection all got their turn, with plenty of practice time on the Boise River to put that knowledge into action. 

The Idaho Angler led a fly tying class that gave participants a chance to create something with their own hands before ever casting it into a river. There’s a particular kind of satisfaction in catching a fish on a fly you tied yourself, and several athletes got to experience that for the first time during this clinic. 

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game also stopped by to talk about the fish species found throughout Idaho’s waterways, giving participants a better understanding of what they were fishing for and why certain techniques work in certain conditions. 

Phase Two: Immersion on the Salmon River

After building their skills in Boise, the group headed to Riggins for the immersion portion of the trip. This is where things got real. Hammer Down River Excursions provided jet boat fishing access, while Salmon River Drifters ran drift boat trips, giving participants two very different ways to experience the Salmon River. 

Coaches Ross Dahmer and Ridley Brandmayr guided the group through casting, technique adjustments, and the kind of on-the-water coaching that only comes from years of experience. Their guidance made a difference. Several participants cast their first fly-line during this trip, and nearly everyone reported catching more fish in a single day than they ever had before. 

One angler reportedly landed 51 fish on the very first day. Whether the exact number holds up under scrutiny or not, it captures the energy of the weekend: people catching fish, building confidence, and having a genuinely great time doing it.