FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (Jan. 7, 2010) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is once again offering anglers a unique opportunity to catch trout this winter without traveling to the mountains.
The Commission, along with Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation, is conducting eight fly-fishing clinics at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center, located on Raeford Road. The clinics will begin at 9 a.m., with a one-hour overview on the sport of fly-fishing, followed by interactive classes and on-the-water instructions. Clinics will end at 3:00 p.m.
Clinics and dates are:
- Two basic fly-fishing clinics on Jan. 23 and Feb. 6
- An advanced fly-fishing clinic on Feb. 20
- Two fly-fishing clinics, on March 6 and March 20, for Boy Scouts interested in earning a fly-fishing merit badge
- Three clinics, held exclusively for soldiers with Ft. Bragg’s Wounded Warrior Transition Battalion, on the second Wednesdays of each month, starting Jan. 13.
Basic clinics are ideal for participants who have very limited-to-no-experience with fly-fishing. Instructors will discuss and demonstrate the proper fly-fishing techniques, including casting, rigging and knot tying. The advanced clinic is for anglers who have previous fly-fishing experience and will cover more complex techniques, such as advanced casting, fly-tying and equipment assembly.
To make these clinics possible, Wildlife Commission staff stocked two ponds with 1,000 catchable sized brook, rainbow and brown trout on Dec. 15. The trout were raised at the agency’s Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery in Transylvania County.
In addition to stocking the ponds, the Wildlife Commission is providing loaner rods, reels and tackle to participants.
“This is one of the best kept secrets in the Fayetteville area,” said Kristopher Smith, Pechmann Center director. “People who live around here would need to drive three or four hours to catch trout in North Carolina, but we have brought the fish to Fayetteville to encourage people to try fly-fishing.
“Most people have always wanted to learn but maybe thought it was too expensive or too complicated. By offering these clinics and providing all of the equipment, we have eliminated any excuse to get out on the water and fly-fish.”
Clinics are limited to the first 40 people, and pre-registration is required by the Wednesday before each clinic. To pre-register or for more information, contact Lake Rim Park, (910) 424-6134. A $5 fee covers coffee and donuts.
For more information on fishing in public, inland waters, click here.
About N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Since 1947, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has been dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the state's fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use, and public input. The Commission is the state regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws and provides programs and opportunities for wildlife-related educational, recreational and sporting activities. To learn more, visit www.ncwildlife.org.
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