Outdoors Skills

Great Parent & Child Class!

A Stick & A Hike

Mark Mayhew


Create a memorable day for you alone or together with your children.  Begin by selecting the “perfect” stick to make your very own hiking staff from ones collected by the instructor.  Then you will learn how to “shave” & carve your very own personalized hiking stick.  Once you are happy with your creation, you complete it by drilling a hole and adding a lanyard.  After lunch, you & your stick can hike one of several breathtaking hikes near the school using your very own hiking stick!  During the morning session you will learn what to take on a hike and how to dress to enjoy the day, trail etiquette and things to look for.  Not only is this a great introduction to simple woodcarving and the beauty of the Southern Adirondacks, but you’ll also create some wonderful memories.

  • March 31, 2012 – Saturday - CRN – 20173
  • May 19, 2012 – Saturday - CRN – 70083
  • August 25, 2012 – Saturday - CRN – 70081
  • Length of Class – 1/2 day
  • Hours – 9:00 a.m. – noon
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • Tuition – $25/per person
  • Materials – $5


Men’s Fly Casting 

Rodney Priddle & Paul Sinicki
Fly Casting for Men is a class designed to introduce you to the essential fly casting skills, to start you on your way to a lifetime of fun and leisure.  The class starts off with an overview of the fly rod and its components, followed by a discussion of available fly line types and why you use them.  The hands-on class starts with reading the rod for fishing.  The physical casting program covers the 4-part cast, false cast and the very useful roll cast.  The class then takes a break from casting for a Q & A segment to review casting theory and how to self assess ones casting.  You will learn the basic knots needed for success on the water.  The casting resumes where the skill learned earlier are sharpened followed by hands-on instruction on the do’s and don’t’s of fly-fishing.  How to shoot line and time and interest permitting, special casts, such as the Single and Double Haul will be covered.

No experience required

  • June 24, 2012, Sunday - CRN – 70077
  • Length of Class – 1/2 day
  • Hours – 9:00 a.m. – noon
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • Tuition – $40

Women’s Fly Casting  

Rodney Priddle & Paul Sinicki

This is a special class just for the ladies who always wanted to try their hand at fly fishing.  Fly Casting 101 is a beginners class designed to introduce you to the essential fly casting skills, to start you on your way to a lifetime of fun and leisure.  You will start off with an overview of the fly rod and its components, followed by a discussion of available fly line types and why we use them.  With great one-on-one instruction the class starts with reading the rod for fishing followed by learning the physical casting.  The program covers the 4-part cast, false cast and the very useful roll cast.  Then you will take a break from casting for a Question & Answer segment to review casting theory and how to self assess ones casting and learn the basic knots needed for success on the water.  The casting resumes where the skills learned earlier are sharpened followed by more hands-on instruction on the do’s and don’ts of fly-fishing.  How to shoot line and time and interest permitting special casts, such as the Single and Double Haul will be covered.  Ladies, this class is truly just for you!

No experience required

  • June 24, 2012, Sunday - CRN – 70078
  • Length of Class – 1/2 day
  • Hours – 1:00 p.m. – 4;00 p.m.
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • Tuition – $40


Introduction to Fly Tying  

Rodney Priddle & Paul Sinicki

Fly Fishing has a long history of tradition and is considered one of the most humane way to catch a fish.  One cannot be a Fly Fisher without appreciating what we have in nature.  Most fly fishers become strong stewards of our resources as they learn to fish and likewise learn the balance of nature and what impacts our resources.  The art of tying dates back many centuries steeped in tradition.  Likewise fly fishing leads one to learn more about our environment and increases the time we spend outdoors appreciating and living a healthier life.  What better way than to appreciate the Adirondacks!

This class starts with an overview of the tools needed to be a successful Fly Tyer, followed by a discussion on materials used in this rewarding lifetime skill hobby.  All tools and materials to tie several productive flies will be provided, which you will  take home with you.  You will learn how to properly secure materials to a hook to make a fly that will not only catch fish well but last for several outings.  It is an unbelievable rush when a fish is fooled by something you created!!  And catching that first fish on a fly you tied is something one never forgets.    A great class for beginners and anyone with a love of the outdoors.

  • July 8, 2012, Sunday – CRN – 70076
  • Length of class: ½  day
  • Hours – 9:00 a.m. – noon
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • Tuition – $40
  • Materials – $7.00
  • Maximum 10- students per session


Advanced Fly Tying

Rodney Priddle & Paul Sinicki 


This fly tying class is for those who are ready to extend their knowledge beyond the basics.  You will learn the skills, techniques, tools as well as lean the proper materials to prepare for any kind of fish or situation.  Whether you fish our Adirondack rivers or lakes, this class will introduce you to a variety of flies that are ready for action.  Learn to tie wet flies, dry flies, streamers and patterns. Our instructors will get you started with the materials required to create a wide variety of flies and you will advance through the vast array of fly tying possibilities.  If you have the basic skills of tying flies, then this class that will help hone your skills and allow you to bring home the keepers!

  • July 8, 2012, Sunday - CRN – 70079
  • Length of Class – 1/2 day
  • Hours – Sunday – 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • Tuition – $40
  • Materials –  $7
  • Maximum of 10 students per class


NEW!


Obedience Lessons For Your Canoe

Marc Ornstein

FreeStyle Canoeing is the “art and science” of quietwater paddling. FreeStyle Canoeing emphasizes smooth, efficient flatwater paddling and precision boat control. FreeStyle can be applied to all canoeing situations.

After a brief discussion about safety, we’ll review canoeing basics and then move on to Applied or Functional Freestyle skills. Mastery of these skills will allow you to glide along or across your favorite pond with the canoe responsive to your every whim. This workshop will provide a foundation upon which you can expand skills on your own or in more advanced workshops that will be discussed.

Required equipment is a canoe (preferably one that can be paddled from a kneeling position), a paddle (single blade), a kneeling pad and a properly fitting life jacket.   Marc is an American Canoe Association level 3 certified instructor and men’s gold medal holder in Interpretive Freestyle Canoeing.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact the Adirondack Folk School at 518-696-2400 and we will forward your questions to Marc.   

  • July 14 & 15, 2012 – Saturday & Sunday – CRN – 70105
  • Length of Class – 2 – Sessions
  • Hours – Saturday 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Location – 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY (paddling portion on Lake Luzerne)
  • Tuition – $75


Repair Your Bamboo Fly Rod

Doug Moody

Do you have a Bamboo Fly Rod in need of repair?  This course covers identification, repair, restoration and history of the Bamboo Fly Rod.  In this class students bring in a fly rod that needs repair and then learn how to bring it back to serviceable condition and ready to land the big ones!  Learn how to repair cracks in the rod, replace and wrap guides and eyelets, rejuvenate grips and much more.  So if you think that old rod is only good for display on the wall in your cabin, think again.  That old rod may still have plenty of life in it with a little “TLC”.

  • June 23, 2012 – Saturday – CRN – 70082
  • August 24, 2012 – Friday – CRN – 70083
  • Length of Class – 1 day
  • Hours – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • Tuition – $75
  • Materials – $20 – $50 depending upon materials selected and used

NEW!

Build Your Own Traditional Bamboo Fly Rod

Doug Moody

The Adirondacks have been a popular fishing destination since the birth of American Fly Fishing.  Bamboo has been the material of choice for Rod makers for over a century.  Bamboo Fly Rods have changed very little over time.  Rods made in this class could have been seen on Adirondack streams over a hundred years ago.  Fishing with Bamboo is a way of stepping back in time.  Continue this Adirondack sporting tradition by building your own Split-Cane Fly Rod.  In this class you will do everything required to make a finely crafted fly rod like those made by a master like Doug.  The only step you will skip, is making the bamboo rod blank, as Doug will prepare the blanks ahead of time for you.  You will learn how to finish the rod blanks with careful sanding and attention to detail, and how to place and wrap the guides, eyelets and tip.  Attach the grip of your choice and  learn how to finish the rod with a pristine varnish that will sparkle on the water.  You will prepare the entire rod except for the varnishing in this most informative class.  Who knows, Doug may even tell you some of his top spots to test your luck and your new rod!

  • September 15 & 16, 2012 – Saturday & Sunday – CRN – 10020
  • Length of Class – 2 days
  • Hours – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Location – AFS, 51 Main Street, Lake Luzerne, NY
  • Tuition – $150
  • Materials – Est. $300 – $500 depending upon materials selected