Wounded Warrior / Military Appreciation Day @ NCWRC Pechmann Ctr 3-9-11

March 9th, 2011 was the second Wednesday of the month which makes it Wounded Warrior / Military Appreciation Day at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center. We had a pretty good crowd today, about 10 folks in uniform and the same number in civilian clothes. These events are open to anyone with a military affiliation, active duty, retired, reserve, national guard, those with a VA disability card and all affiliated family members. You show up and we'll put a rod in your hands. NCWRC provides the venue and equipment and volunteers provide instruction, mentorship and oversight. If you're not into fly fishing or fly tying we have spin cast outfits and bait for use on the catfish ponds. A NC fishing license is not required for these events.



Many with an interest in fly fishing start out in our "Intro to Fly Tying Class". Volunteer John Smith would be the first to tell you that he is not an expert in the art of fly tying but he knows a couple patterns which are easy to tie and definitely catch lots of fish.



Five pound catfish on a light spin cast rig makes for some good fishing. (Note our classroom facility in the background - one of the best kept secrets in NC - actually we do not want it to be a secret, call 910-868-5003 to ask about a program just for your organization)



We had a couple Marines and their families from Camp Ljeune join us today. This medically retired Gunnery Sergeant strains to control a large catfish on a fly rod.



Well done "Gunny" - Bring a busload of those "Leathernecks" with you next month. We will have a "fish off" between the Marines and the Army.



Our tying volunteer shows us how effective his special flies can be. Looks like he is into a good fish.



How about that for a nice brown trout? We are blessed to have some real good fish this year. I saw a lot of fat rainbows and brookies come to hand as well today.



Lot of fun and plenty of smiles today. But watch out - notice how close this fellow is to the edge (to be continued )



I missed the "action shot" but you can see what a little inattention can get you. He claimed the fish was so huge it pulled him in. Thankfully our ponds are only 2-3 feet deep on the edges and the weather was warm. Nevertheless, it was time to go home for this fellow. Laughs, smiles and a great story.

And so ends another great Wounded Warrior / Military Appreciation Day at the Pechmann Center. Our next Wounded Warrior / Military Appreciation Day will be Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 1:00-5:00 pm. We should still have trout in at least one of the ponds. Because trout are cold water fish they will be at the end of their longevity so bring your stringers and harvest a few for the skillet. The Pechmann Center provides all equipment for these events, however participants are encouraged to bring and use their own gear. If you're not into fly fishing we have spin cast outfits and bait for use on the catfish ponds. A NC fishing license is not required for these events.

The NCWRC John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center is located at 7489 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28304. It was an old fish hatchery which has since been converted to an education center. It is right across from Lake Rim on what is now known as old Raeford Rd on the west side of Fayetteville. Here is a Map Quest link http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fayetteville&state=NC&address=7489+Raeford+Rd&zipcode=28304