On Saturday, June 10 from 9 am – Noon, join Kestrel and Pioneer Valley Trout Unlimited (PVTU) for an introduction to the joys, art, and ecology of fly-fishing! You’ll learn how to cast a fly-fishing rod, how to create (“tie”) the lures called “flies,” and about the insects that trout and other fish eat. You’ll also learn about the important relationship between healthy fish populations and conserving the land.

Expert fly fishers from PVTU will be your guides as you rotate through three stations:

• Beginners fly-tying instruction
• Fly casting instruction
• Overview of insects and macroinvertebrates that trout feed on (we may even uncover some from the stream bed)

Your guides will be:

• Paul Beaulieu: Environmental Scientist, past president of the PVTU and founder of Fly Me a River guide service, and Kestrel Advisor.
• Jim Lafley: Past president of PVTU, and Education Coordinator with the MA Department of Conservation & Recreation.
• Gary Metras: Past president of PVTU, as well as a writer and poet whose books include “Two Bloods: Fly Fishing Poems.”
  
• Jim Turcotte: Past PVTU president and former professional fly tier for Orvis.

This special program is FREE, thanks to PVTU. No previous experience or equipment necessary! PVTU will provide all fly-tying equipment and the rods and reels for casting. Bring waterproof boots or sneakers that you don’t mind getting wet.

Location: Scarborough Brook Conservation Area, Belchertown.

RSVP required: Limited to 30 participants. (Children age 10 and older are welcome.)

Rain or shine: (Paul says fishermen don’t let a little water bother them!) However, heavy rain or thunderstorms will cancel.

Trout Unlimited, is a national organization whose Mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. TU’s goal is to ensure that robust populations of native and wild coldwater fish once again thrive within their North American range, so that our children can enjoy healthy fisheries in their home waters.

Photograph courtesy of David Schumacher Photography.