N.C. Fly-Fishing Clinics Set to Begin

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, will conduct 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 3:30 p.m.

Clinics and dates are:

• Three basic fly-fishing clinics on Jan. 8, 22 and Feb. 12
• An advanced fly-fishing clinic on Feb. 26

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.

Starting Jan. 12, clinics will be held for soldiers from Fort Bragg's Wounded Warrior Transition Battalion from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month.

On March 12 and 26, staff will conduct fly-fishing clinics for Boy Scouts interested in earning a fly-fishing merit badge

To make these clinics possible, the Commission staff stocked two ponds with 1,000 catchable-sized brook, rainbow and brown trout on Dec. 9. 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.

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 is collected at the time of registration.

For more information on fishing in public, inland waters, visit www.ncwildlife.org/fishing.