By Tom Rogers
Anglers cast lines in Vermont rivers.
The Fish & Wildlife Department is offering Intro to Fly Tying, a series of introductory classes for fly fishing anglers interesting in learning how to tie their own flies. The courses are offered by the department’s Let’s Go Fishing program in partnership with the Mad Dog Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Green Mountain Fly Tiers.
These introductory courses will focus on material, hook, and thread terminology. Techniques such as thread control, proportion, tying on materials, dubbing, and wings and tails will be covered while tying a variety of flies.
“For many anglers, there’s nothing more satisfying than catching a fish on a Vermont stream using a home-tied fly,” said Corey Hart of the department. “These courses will give anglers the basic skills they need to start tying their own flies, as well as the opportunity to meet other local anglers interested in fly fishing.”
People can register one week before the start of either course by calling 802-265-2279 or emailing letsgofishing@vermont.gov. Classes are held once a week and you must attend all four sessions.
There is a $20 fee to cover the cost of materials, which will be paid directly to the club conducting the course. A limited number of vises and equipment can be made available for those that need it.
The two courses will take place as follows:
Castleton: Mondays, 7-9 p.m., Feb. 26 and March 5, 12, and 19. Kehoe Conservation Camp, 636 Point of Pines Rd., Castleton. Taught by the Green Mountain Fly Tiers.
Montpelier: Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m., March 7, 14, 21, and 28. Annex Building, 190 Junction Road, Berlin. Taught by the Mad Dog Chapter of Trout Unlimited.
