Jul 01 - 02 2025
Scroll down to see our Juy Dolores River packraft fly fishing courses. Email us today to schedule your packraft & wade fly fishing course on the Animas River, Durango. You may schedule a one- to two-day private for up to three people with Thad Ferrell anytime April or July through October.
Learn How to Fly Fish From a Packraft on the Animas & Dolores Rivers
Four Corners Guides will be running packraft fly fishing courses on the Dolores River, July 2025, and the Animas River, April and July-October. We are also applying for permits to run a guided fly fishing trip on the Kongakut River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This trip will serve up to 8 people, and we will utilize both two-person and one-person packrafts to fish for char. Email us if you want to be on the waiting list.
Our two-day courses in Colorado will be tailored to participants’ specific needs, desires and existing skill sets. And up to three people may sign up for these courses, depending on their paddling abilities. I.e. if you already know how to packraft, then you can be the main paddler for one of the Foragers, along with Thad. You will be learning while utilizing two Foragers, a whitewater capable, two-person boat made by Alpacka Raft. Our permits are specifically for drift boat-style fishing on the Dolores River. You will be able to wade fish on the Animas River.
What You Will Learn
We will teach you based on your existing angling and paddling abilities and what you want to learn. Here’s an overview of a couple scenarios we offer. But keep in mind, we’ll tailor these courses to your needs. So drop Thad a note to start the conversation!
Learn General Packrafting Skills with a Fly Fishing Focus
Are you a person who wants to learn general packraft paddling, river reading and rescue skills, but with fly fishing in mind? I.e. you want to learn to paddle so you and your buddies can get to difficult-to-reach places where you can wade fish. If so, we will follow our standard American Canoe Association Packraft Instructor curriculum, based on the skill level you are at. But, from Thad’s unique fishy perspective. Please visit our curriculum page for details on our Level 1-4 courses.
Learn How to Paddle & Fish From a Two-Person Packraft
Are you a person who wants to learn how to paddle a two-person packraft more like a drift boat, with fly fishing as your main goal? I.e. there are various rivers you just cannot get a drift boat or larger raft into, but that you can access via lightweight packrafts.
If so, we’ll teach you the paddling and river reading skills you need, including tactics and new strategies to catch fish on these seldom-fished rivers. We’ll also give you a normal nuts and bolts overview of care of packrafts, how you can best integrate fly fishing equipment onto your boats—rod storage, net storage and whether or not you should use a drysuit or waders, a helmet, which paddle you should use, etc.
We’ll also teach you things like how to paddle an angler and put them on fish in a packraft effectively; how to play a fish with the boat; how to hold a position for your angler; and how to slow the boat down. Finally, you’ll learn the different ways to paddle a two-person boat, including C2 instruction for more difficult rapids and kayak style for when conditions mellow out.
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Learn more about Thad Ferrell on his website, kingfisherflyguides.com. And listen to Thad talk packraft fly fishing, his trip to the Arctic and more on Episode #11 of, “A Beginner’s Guide to Packrafting.”
