Broadside /ˈbrɑːd.saɪd/ v:
The act of presenting a fly by making quartering downstream casts to present the fly in such a fashion that it mimics the full profile or “broadside” of a baitfish or insect to the angler’s quarry.
One-on-one instruction. Fly fishing immersion. Leisure realized.
This is Fly Fishing
Our primary mission is to present a simplified, streamlined approach to an otherwise complex endeavor that will last a lifetime
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Our primary mission is to present a simplified, streamlined approach to an otherwise complex endeavor that will last a lifetime *
Meet the Crew
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Kevin Ramirez
A Long Island native turned Vermont local legend, Kev, affectionately known as “Pike Nasty”, has been spreading joy and passion for fishing since his boots hit Vermont waters in 2002.
Drawn by Vermont’s diverse fisheries, Kevin quickly found himself captivated by the abundance of Lake Champlain; the elusive Esox holds a special eddy in his heart. Rather than focusing on just one species, Kevin embraces Vermont’s rich variety of species and habitats, exploring everything from small brook trout streams to the more “exotic” residents in their inscrutable haunts.
Kevin believes that targeting a wide range of fish not only enhances one’s skills as an angler but also inspires innovation at the fly-tying vise where he creates unique and effective patterns for each distinctive terrain. Since 2010, Kevin has been guiding anglers through Vermont streams and brooks, sharing his expertise and enthusiasm while helping folks connect more intimately and intentionally with the natural world.
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Dave Aronson
Dave cut his teeth in fly fishing on a high mountain pond in the heart of the Green Mountains chasing brook trout almost 30 years ago. Since then, he’s plied wild and unrivaled waters from the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec, to British Columbia, and throughout Vermont.
Dave ran a “conventional” guide service for a short stint, which illuminated and solidified for him his interest in instruction and mentorship over being a traditional fly-fishing guide. Dave’s been involved in the Vermont Trout Camp for teens for 8-years, as well as guiding various individual trips and group clinics.
In spring and autumn, Dave enjoys casting for cold water species like trout and salmon, and spends his summer days scheming ways to get to the coast to chase his favorite fish, the venerable striped bass.
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Sam Aronson
Sam, a proud Vermont native, is a fly-fishing instructor and guide living in Central Vermont. She is passionate about conservation and education, preserving the spirit and ethos of fly-fishing, and of simplifying the essential experience.
Sam loves sharing her skill and passion with a warm, welcoming, patient, and ultimately fun approach that resonates with both beginners and seasoned anglers. From casting (which she learned from the renowned Joan Wulff), to knots, reading the water, and proper fishing handling, Sam is inspired to share all that she knows with anglers of all levels and from every walk of life.
Sam is also an celebrated artist and illustrator focusing on flies, fish, and capturing extraordinary moments on the water.
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Alan Erdossy
Alan Erdossy founded “Broadside: A Fly Fishers Forum” news magazine in 1987, which was published for 5 years. He started fly-fishing and fly-tying at age of 8 in Harrisburg, PA, and was taken under the wing of regional anglers like Charlie Fox, Sam Slaymaker, and Lefty Kreh.
Alan has been a musician, actor, photographer, writer, teacher, fundraiser, administrator, and computer guy, for over 7 decades, and has never stopped fly-fishing, building rods, and tying flies. He’s fished throughout the US, and from the Bahamas to Japan.
Alan participated in the very first International Fly-Fishing Day in Holland in the mid-80’s, was on the board of the Federation of Fly Fishers, and has taught the Fishing with the Masters program for the Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock. Alan helped start and served as officer of three Trout Unlimited (TU) chapters and served as TU’s Atlantic Salmon Coordinator.
If that weren’t enough, Alan also operated Tall Timber Lodge’s Simplified Fly-Fishing programs for 34-years and helped found Vermont’s Trout Camp for Teens. He has fished extensively in Maine and the Canadian Maritimes specializing in Atlantic salmon.
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Colin MacMillian
Colin hails from Massachusetts originally, but has called Central Vermont his home for the last three years, guiding across the state for the past four years.
Colin fly-fishes all year-round in all conditions, tying flies any time he’s out of the water, and targets all species of trout and smallmouth bass. He is singularly enthusiastic about spending time on and off the water with newcomers and experienced anglers alike in the epic Vermont summers to come.
Explore
Trout Camp : A Broadside Fly Fishing Experience
Next Camp Dates: 06/22-06/26 2025
We call it “camp”…
Camp is permission to relax and unwind. It is a letting go and giving in to sights, sounds, and experiences we often forget to make time for. At camp, we make the time, we share the time, and we revel in it!
Our goal is to enjoy camp and immerse ourselves in the art and serenity of fly-fishing. We infuse our time with intentional, one-on-one instruction in fly-fishing both on and off the water, while always leaving time to just enjoy camp.
Broadside Trout Camp is hosted at Quimby Country, one of the region’s oldest family-owned sporting and recreation resorts dating back over 125-years. Situated on 1,000 acres in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Quimby’s is a confluence of incomparable natural beauty, peerless peace and quiet, untouched wild places, and unrivaled accommodations.
An average day at camp…
…begins with a hearty Vermont breakfast before moving into the first of the day’s activities, including comprehensive instruction in casting, fly-tying, reading the water, safe wading techniques, proper fish handling, lore, laughter, and so much more.
Afternoon and evening meals are shared riverside or in Quimby’s beautiful dining room, and days are filled with wide-ranging instruction and abundant time on the river.
Camp is the experience you make it, and Quimby’s offers time to break out of routine to enjoy a bike ride, a lake swim, or just some quiet time reading under a towering maple.
Our instructor/guides have over 150-years of combined knowledge and experience. We start with the “bare bones” basics essential to every angler’s passion and success, and we progress from there throughout the week.
By the end of five full immersive days at camp, you will feel competent and capable enough to hit the water with confidence and a deeper understanding of the skills, techniques, and perspectives that will carry you through many a river and stream, from knots to bugs, preferential rods and lines, fish habitat, fly favorites, and more.
Our home river, The Upper Connecticut River, is a tremendous resource for all species of trout as well as landlock salmon.
Your river might be home to anything…
Camp runs from Sunday > Thursday. We ask all to arrive as close to 3pm as possible on Sunday to allow for time to settle in, meet and greet our crew and your fellow anglers, and enjoy an evening libation.
Following our first camp dinner, we’ll jump right into an exploration of entomology (study of bugs) with a presentation from Tom Ames Jr., author of The Hatch Guide for New England Streams.
The days to follow will be spent on and off the water, well-stocked with detailed discussions and hands-on experience with trout habitat, currents, hydrology, safe wading habits, casting, knots and tackle, fly styles including how and where to fish them, and of course FISHING in the early morning light and unsurpassed northeast sunsets. We will continue to hone fundamental techniques and skills throughout the week, while savoring all that Quimby’s and the surrounding landscape has to offer.
What about the birds?
Every good angler knows to read the birds and watch their behaviors on the stream, and we will, too. This was one of the first things the late, great Rhey Plumbley taught us many years ago, “They tell a story ya’ know,” and we’ll tell that story to you.
Our last night at camp we’ll enjoy a lobster bake (unless of course, lobster, isn’t your thing - which we can handle) on the shores of beautiful Great Averill Lake, before wrapping up on Thursday after a final morning excursion before casting off into the lakes and rivers of our own.
What You’ll Need:
Clothing for all weather conditions, including a synthetic top for wet days (even long johns). There are wood stoves in the cabins for a reason, Vermont evenings can be chilly even in spring and summer!
We recommend light pants to be worn under waders. The water on the river ranges between 53 and 63 degrees that time of year, which starts to feel cold after you’ve been standing in it for a while.
Rain jacket.
Sun screen.
Bug repellant.
“Deet” is bad for all fly gear. There are lots of good “natural” repellants out there, as well as insect repellant “Thermacells”, battery operated devices that do work and reduce perfumes and added chemicals, natural or otherwise, in the water!
Polarized sunglasses - Polarization cuts the glare from the water and a good set of glasses will help you see fish. That said, I had a $10 dollar pair of cheap glasses that I bought in Maine years ago while on a trip and I still contend they were the best polarized glasses I ever had…
Waders and properly fitted wading boots. If this is a new idea to you and you’re not sure how much you’ll use them, buy a moderately-priced pair, cheap is cheap and you don’t want to bother with that.
Rod and reel with line. There are tons of good entry-level packages out there if you don’t have one already. Orvis Clearwater or Encounter kits are very popular and are pretty darn good for the price, Reddington, Temple Fork, Echo or L.L. Bean can be good options as well. Of course, we’re happy to help you navigate this so don’t be afraid to reach out to us if you need help!!
Brimmed hat, like a baseball cap.
Wading vest or wading pack with net if possible.
Wading staff or alpine ski pole with a lanyard and carabiner.
We are here to help with any questions or potential gear issues. Just reach out!!!
All Inclusive Price - $1,650.00
Price includes all meals, accommodations, and instruction.
Accommodations are fully-equipped with linens and towels as needed.
Price does not include tips.
Broadside School of Fly Fishing is a fully-insured outfitter.
wild foxglove in bloom
Contact Us
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