Advanced Fly Fish Clinic @ NCWRC Pechmann Center 2-26-11

We hosted the 9th Annual Advanced Fly Fishing Clinic at the NCWRC John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center on Saturday, February 26th, 2011. Got to say right up front that the catching was a "little off" but with temperatures in the low 60's, clear skies and very little wind, who cares? - What a great day to be outdoors casting a fly rod.



Close to 40 participants showed up for this event. They came from all over the state. Most were accomplished fly fishermen. A few had only been exposed to fly fishing through our introductory fly fishing clinics. All came to have fun. This couple rolled into the parking lot from Charlotte ready to go fishing.



We always start our clinics with a general overview. Because this was an advanced clinic we assume participants know the basics of fly fishing. Today's program allows them to pick up tips that are often learned the hard way after many years of fishing.



Most fly fishermen are already familiar with the improved clinch and surgeon's knot, but how about the barrel knot, nail knot, arbor knot, perfection loop, etc, etc? We are fortunate to have volunteers who not only know how to tie them, they also know how to teach them.



How do you obtain a drag free drift? How do you mend the line. How do you set up to fish a current? We have it all covered. This aerator not only provides oxygen to the ponds, after about an hour of use it also sets up a current which flows around the entire pond.



Paul, one of our volunteers who we recently recruited from the ranks of Ft Bragg's Wounded Warriors demonstrates the double haul. On a good day Paul can cast his entire fly line and even a few yards of the backing.



We have a pan fish / bass fishing station which introduces participants to set up's and techniques used on farm ponds and impoundments. This station is a "teaser" for our Warm Water Fly Fishing Clinic scheduled for June 11, 2011



Our own "World Record Holder" Jeanette shares her vast salt water fly fishing experience. This is always a well attended seminar for many who did not realize the ocean is a great place to fish with a fly rod.



A hook, some thread, add a little yarn and some feathers and you'd be amazed what you can come up with that will actually catch fish! We are blessed to have several well known master craftsmen who willingly share their passion and skills at the tying vise.


Enough already - I came here to go fishing! We did just that - the trout ponds opened at noon and although the fishing was not as good as it has been at recent clinics, just about everyone caught fish. Many caught several fish.


We have two ponds stocked with approximately 500 trout each. About 300 rainbows, 100 brookies and 100 brown trout in each pond. These are clay bottomed, one acre ponds very similar to a farm pond. You can not see the fish so it is not anything like "fishing in a barrel" - Think of it as a Delayed Harvest pond.


It is not "slam dunk" - you have to work at it but with a little skill and a lot of luck you can put a pretty good bend in your rod.


We also have three ponds stocked with catfish. The water temperatures are moving up to the range where catfish are beginning to feed aggressively. They are relatively easy to catch and great fun on a 5 weight fly rod.


Not sure, but I think this is some species of shiner (maybe a Golden Shiner) - In any case it was caught on a small woollybugger out of one of the catfish ponds. There are a lot of them in nearby Lake Rim where our water comes via gravity feed - these shiners and an occasional crappie come through the pipe and end up in one of our ponds.

And so ends our Advanced Fly Fishing Clinic. The fish were not overly aggressive but enough were caught to make things interesting. Lots of smiles and thank you's for our volunteers today. Speaking of our volunteers, I want to go on record by saying we are blessed to have such a dedicated group of experienced fly fishermen who willingly give up many Saturdays to share their passion with others. They let me think I am in charge but we could not put on these clinics without them.

We host the Boy Scouts on Mar 12th and Mar 26th and a Warm Water Clinic on Jun 11th. All dates are on a Saturday with a start time of 9:00am and end time of 3:30pm. Registration through Lake Rim Park (424-6134). The cost is $5. Pre-registration is required. These clinics fill very fast so pass this information along to all of your friends.

The NCWRC Pechmann Fishing Education Center also hosts Wounded Warriors, NC Handicapped Sportsmen and any military and their families on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 1-5pm - (That's March 9th next month). We offer fly tying and basic fly fishing instruction. At least half of the afternoon will be spent fishing.