Women's Course at Harriman State Park

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Harriman State Park is a 16,000-acre wildlife refuge in the greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and is located in Island Park, Idaho. This beautiful landscape is characterized by lush evergreen forest, verdant green meadows, and, most notably, eight consecrated miles of the Henry’s Fork River. This particular section, known to many as the “Railroad Ranch”, offers some of the most challenging dry fly fishing opportunities in the western United States and has gained an international reputation for the robust rainbow trout and complex insect hatches it regularly produces. The accommodations are located just above the famous Millionaire’s Pool, and the facilities are exclusive to the Anglers Academy students and staff.

In addition to being a type of ‘Mecca’ for anglers, Harriman State Park is also a sanctuary for wildlife. The Park is home to an abundance of big game and bird species, including moose, elk, bears, cranes, and many different waterfowl species. In fact, two-thirds of the trumpeter swans that winter in the contiguous United States choose to spend the season in the park! It is also a four season recreational paradise! In addition to unique accommodations, visitors to the park can enjoy 22 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails in the summer and 24 miles of groomed trails in the winter that are perfect for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking.

Harriman State Park used to be a cattle ranch but was deeded to the state of Idaho in 1977 by the Harriman family who, together with the Guggenheims, used the property as a private retreat for 75 years. This gift lead to the development of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and, later, Friends of Harriman State Park, Inc. which is an organization that is dedicated solely to community projects that directly benefit the park. 

Harriman State Park is located in Island Park, Idaho. There are a number of airports (listed below) to fly in and out of that offer car rental services. We recommend renting a car so that you have the flexibility to stay in the area longer in order to enjoy the local sights and experiences such as Yellowstone National Park, additional guided fishing, and DIY fishing opportunities. Airport shuttles can be arranged for an additional fee. 

Airport Options / Distances (and Drive Times) to Island Park, Idaho
Yellowstone Airport in West Yellowstone, MT (WYS) / 39.8 miles (42 minutes)

Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) / 72.1 miles (1 hour, 9 minutes)

Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) / 101 miles (2 hours, 3 minutes)

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) / 128 miles (2 hours, 20 minutes)

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) / 287 miles (4 hours, 4 minutes) 

Harriman State Park - Island Park, Idaho
August 10 - 14, 2025
4 nights / 3 days is $5,495.00 per person (based on single occupancy) 

Limited to 12 students 

WHAT’S INCLUDED: Four (4) nights of single occupancy lodging at Harriman State Park, three (3) full days of professional instruction, all meals including two (2) evenings dinning at the Henry's Fork Lodge and one (1) evening dinning at TroutHunter Lodge, house wine, beer and liquor, all flies and equipment.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED: Transportation to and from Harriman State Park, additional nights at Harriman State Park, additional guided fishing trips, fishing licenses, gratuities for lodge staff. 

Are there any additional costs that I should know about? 

No. The rate includes lodging, all meals, wine and beer, and all instruction. We do recommend bringing some cash ($50 - $100) to tip the lodge staff at the end of your stay. There will be an opportunity to purchase books and art directly from the instructors if you wish--cash only. 

I already know how to cast. Do you think I’ll really gain much from casting instruction? 

There’s no question that everyone can improve their casting stroke with professional instruction. We can assure you that the Academy’s instructors are incredibly accomplished fly casters, and they have a lifetime of experience teaching in a clear and understandable manner that will benefit anglers of all skill levels. Experienced casters will refine their technique, and gain a thorough understanding of the mechanics and principles of high-level fly casting. 

How much fishing will I do? 

We’ll be on the water everyday, covering a wide range of topics. Students will do some fishing with the instructors, but those short fishing sessions will be focused on the lessons and techniques of the day rather than on catching fish. If you’re hungry for more fishing, we recommend staying additional days in the surrounding area in order to explore some of the best public fishing accesses available to a wide variety of rivers and lakes. 

Do you recommend staying additional days in the area to fish on my own or with guides? 

Absolutely! There are incredible wade fishing opportunities in the immediate area and some excellent fly shops that offer guiding services. Rivers that we recommend fishing in August include the upper sections of the Henry’s Fork, Madison River, Gallatin River, Slough Creek, Lamar River and the Yellowstone River in the Park. There are also some excellent stillwaters to consider fishing that will likely have good hatches for dry fly and sight fishing such as Hebgen Lake, Quake Lake and Henry’s Lake. Rivers to float with guides include the Henry’s Fork, Madison, Teton and the South Fork of the Snake. 

How is the fishing in the area at that time of year? 

July and August is an excellent time of year to fish and explore the Greater Yellowstone region. There are good hatches on certain river sections in the mornings and evenings, and plenty of hopper and terrestrial action in the afternoons.  

How much time will be spent indoors vs. outdoors? 

The first three mornings include 2.5 hours of presentations on various topics in the conference room at the ranch. Otherwise, the group will be outside everyday from 10:30 AM until the end of the day. On the final day, the group will spend the entire day on the water, using all of the new skills acquired throughout the week. 

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