Fly-Fishing Clinics Offer Unique Opportunity to Catch Trout

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (Dec. 20, 2012) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, along with Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation, will conduct four fly-fishing clinics open to the public starting in January.

The clinics will be held at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center on Raeford Road and will begin with a one-hour overview on the sport of fly-fishing, followed by hands-on, interactive casting classes and on-the-water instruction.

The four basic fly-fishing clinics are scheduled for Jan. 5 and 19, and Feb. 2 and 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Basic clinics are ideal for participants who have very limited or no experience with fly-fishing. Instructors will facilitate casting programs to educate participants on proper fly-fishing techniques.

To make these clinics possible, Commission staff stocked two ponds with 1,000 catchable-sized brook, rainbow and brown trout on Dec. 18. 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 free loaner rods, reels and tackle to participants in all clinics.

Clinics are limited to the first 40 people, and pre-registration is required.

Clinics fill quickly, according to Pechmann Center Director Kristopher Smith, who expects the same rush to register this year.

“This program provides an incredible opportunity for people who live four to five hours away from the mountains where we traditionally find trout,” Smith said. “By bringing mountain trout to Fayetteville during the colder months, we hope to encourage others to learn how to become fly anglers.”

Interested anglers should contact Fayetteville-Cumberland County Parks and Recreation at Lake Rim, (910) 424-6134. A fee of $5 for each participant is due at the time of registration.

Starting Jan. 9, the Commission will conduct fly-fishing clinics for soldiers from Fort Bragg’s Wounded Warrior Transition Battalion from 1-5 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month through March. These free clinics are open only to soldiers and their families.