Home Counties School of Fly Fishing

After many successful years introducing newcomers to the joys of fly fishing, in the spring of 2026 we launched the Home Counties School of Fly Fishing, based here at Pochard Lake.

Building on the success of Pochard Lake’s Fly Fishing Experience days, the HCSFF now offers a wider range of training, tuition, coaching and guiding crafted to our clients’ specific needs, from beginners to improvers, and to those who seek to fine-tune their skill.

Our team of three instructors is overseen by Geoff Wood, our fishery manager. In addition to the Fly Fishing Experience days we now offer advanced casting instruction covering both single and double handed techniques, fly tying instruction, general fishing coaching and guided fishing on southern chalkstreams and stillwaters to suit individual requirements.

The Team:

Geoff Wood

• Pochard Lake Trout Fishery Manager
• Angling Trust Level 2 Game Fishing Coach
• Experienced Chalkstream Guide

Dominic Hewitt

• GAIA Vice Chairman
• GAIA and APGAI Certified Casting Instructor single and double handed
• Angling Trust Level 2 Game Fishing Coach

Regan Skinner

• GAIA Certified Casting Instructor single and double handed
• GAIA Fly Tying Instructor
• Angling Trust Level 2 Game Fishing Coach

Thus we are able to offer a variety of options depending on whether you are a newcomer to the sport thinking of a new hobby, perhaps anticipating retirement; or a seasoned angler seeking to improve a particular technique or just wanting to enjoy a day out on a fine river guided by an expert.

Fly Fishing Experience Day

For newcomers to the sport, we recommend our all-inclusive Fly Fishing Experience, which can be either a full day or half day. The exact programme can be adapted to your requirements, but a typical day would start with an introduction to rods and tackle, how to tackle up, and the different types of flies. You would then move on to learning the techniques and principles of casting before getting onto the water and with luck catching some trout.

The Fly Fishing Experience includes the provision of all equipment by us if you do not have your own, dedicated tuition, a two fish ticket for each angler and a light lunch. It can be for one or two people.

The cost of the Fly Fishing Experience is as follows:

If you are interested in one of these sessions please use the booking system below which will show available dates; or if you have any questions send us a message using the contact form at the bottom of the page, and we will get back to you promptly, or call Geoff direct on his mobile 07769 214444.

This introductory package has also proved a very popular present. If you would like to give a Fly Fishing Experience as a gift, we provide pre-paid gift cards which can then be exchanged at a time to suit. Please see the Gift Card page of the website.

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Advanced Anglers

If you are an experienced angler, at any level, and would like to work on a particular aspect of your technique, we offer the following options, based here at Pochard Lake. In each case, in addition to the tuition cost, a half day or full day ticket will need to be booked.

General Refresher

If you have recently started fly fishing or are coming back to it after a break and would like some help on a particular aspect or a general refresher, Geoff will help you get back up to speed. This is £30 per hour for one person or £45 per hour for two people.

Advanced Casting

We are offering coaching in fly casting for those who are experienced fishers, yet wish to learn more advanced skills. You may want to finesse the style of your casting, or pick up some expertise to help your presentation in challenging conditions. Our GAIA and AAPGAI certified instructors are on hand to help with special presentational skills and niche casting techniques. So if you are planning some salmon fishing and need to acquire double handed skills, or are due to visit the tropics to target marine species, our coaches will assist. This level of tuition is £35 per hour for one person or £52 per hour for two people.

Fly Tying

Based in our comfortable clubhouse, we can offer one to one or small group sessions of fly tying instruction. Perhaps the pinnacle of the fly fishing experience is to catch a fish on a self tied fly and we can introduce you to this. If you have enjoyed fly tying but are struggling with particular methods or skills, this may be what you need. All equipment and materials are provided. This is also £35 per hour for one person or £52 per hour for two people.

Guiding

Away from Pochard Lake, we offer a variety of guiding possibilities. Geoff has been taking clients around the country for many years and has considerable knowledge of some of the fine chalk streams of Southern England, as well as many other rivers.

Geoff has a particular interest in Grayling which can provide fantastic sport in the autumn and winter months, and has access to some lovely sections of river to target these spectacular fish.

For those new to the reservoir trout fishing scene, Geoff also offers introductions to this specialist arm of our sport.

One-to-one guiding is charged as follows:

• Chalkstream or other river: £165 half day (3 hours), £330 full day (6 hours)
• Reservoir or other stillwater: £125 half day ( 3 hours), £250 full day ( 6 hours)

These prices all relate to the time spent on the water and are for a one-to-one guiding service, but we can also cater for two people, which would be charged at 1.5x these amounts. The cost of the fishing itself is in addition, which we would organise and arrange for payment to the host site.

Essentially guiding is quite a bespoke service, so an outing can always be tailored to your requirements and the hours chosen to suit the type of fishing involved.

If you are interested in any of the Advanced Angling options, again please use the contact form or call Geoff at the clubhouse on 01525 234112 or 07769 214444.

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