The NC Wildlife Resources Commission is offering fly-fishing clinics this winter at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center for novice anglers, intermediate anglers and Boy Scouts who want to earn their Fly-Fishing Merit Badge. The center is located at 7489 Raeford Road, in Fayetteville NC.
Basic Fly-Fishing Clinics
Basic Fly-Fishing Clinics, designed for anglers with little to no fly-fishing experience, will be offered on January 2, January 16 and January 30, 2016, from 9am until 3pm. Trained volunteers will provide instruction on the Joan Wulff method of fly-casting, as well as instruction on fly-fishing equipment and knot tying. During the on-the-water portion of the course in the afternoon, participants will learn how to land a fish using a fly-rod.
Basic clinics are suitable for participants 13 years and older; however, students 15 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Each clinic is limited to 40 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis.
There is a registration fee of $5, payable on the day of the event. Because of space limitations and the popularity of these basic clinics, participants are asked to register for only one.
Intermediate Fly-Fishing Clinic
An Intermediate Fly-Fishing Clinic will be held on February 13, 2016, from 9am to 3pm. This clinic will take participants beyond the basics and introduce them to using the line-hand, false casting, casting on all planes and the shooting line. Participants will also learn how to develop power application and cast accurately.
Because this course is based on the Wulff method used in the basic classes, participants registering in the Intermediate Fly-Fishing Clinic must have completed a Basic Fly-Fishing Clinic or Discovery Course offered in 2015, or the Basic Fly-fishing clinic in 2016.
The Intermediate Fly-Fishing Clinic is suitable for participants 13 years and older; however, students 15 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult. This clinic is limited to the first 30 people.
There is a registration fee of $5, payable on the day of the event.
Boy Scout Fly-Fishing Merit Badge Clinics
For active Boy Scouts 11 years and older, the Pechmann Center is offering a 2-day Fly-Fishing Merit Badge Clinic on February 27-28, 2016. Among the topics that will be covered are fly tying, knots, fly-casting, fish identification, first aid, fishing regulations, cleaning and cooking catch.
Overnight camping is available for scouts. Troops wishing to camp should arrive at the Pechmann Center no later than 8:30pm, on February 26, 2016.
Interested Scoutmasters should contact Pechmann Center Director Tom Carpenter to register their scouts. The registration fee is $5 per scout. The 2-day Fly-Fishing Merit Badge Clinic is limited to 40 scouts with a maximum of 10 scouts from each troop.
Pre-Clinic Pond Stocking and Loaner Equipment
In anticipation of the fly-fishing clinics, the commission will stocked more than 1,000 catchable-sized brook, brown and rainbow trout into the center ponds on December 11, 2015.
The agency also will provide loaner rods and reels, as well as tackle, for all fly-fishing clinic participants.
Registration
Pre-registration is required for all clinics. Registration for the three basic fly-fishing clinics is open now. Registration for the Intermediate Fly-Fishing Clinic will open January 5, 2016. Registration for the 2-Day Fly-Fishing Merit Badge Clinic for active Boy Scouts opens January 11. To register, visit the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center’s webpage and click on the program calendar and registration link, or access the registration link directly.
The John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center is located at 7489 Raeford Road, across from Lake Rim. Wildlife Commission staff at the Pechmann Center conducts fishing workshops, events and clinics throughout the year. Most programs are free and open to the public. For more information about the center, visit www.ncwildlife.org and click on the “Learning” link.
Source: NC Wildlife Resources Commission
