The North Carolina 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.
Basic Fly-Fishing Clinics
Basic Fly-Fishing Clinics, designed for anglers with little to no fly-fishing experience, will be offered on Jan.12, Jan. 16 and Jan. 30, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. 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.
Intermediate Fly-Fishing Clinic
An Intermediate Fly-Fishing Clinic will be held on Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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.
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 Feb. 27-28. Among the topics that will be covered are fly tying, knots, fly-casting, fish identification, first aid, fishing regulations, cleaning and cooking catch. Interested Scoutmasters should contact Pechmann Center Director Tom Carpenter to register their scouts.
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. The agency also will provide loaner rods and reels, as well as tackle, for all fly-fishing clinic participants.
Pre-registration is required for all clinics. For more information, visit www.ncwildlife.org.