Lure-making, kayak fishing are two of the courses
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is offering free fishing skills workshops in April at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville.
April 6 – Soft Plastic Lure-Making Workshop from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
A Soft Plastic Lure-Making Workshop, held for participants ages 8 and older, will cover the fundamentals of creating artificial worms, lizards, crayfish and other soft plastic baits. Participants will create multiple lures to take home.
April 8 – Kayak Fish and Float Workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Pechmann Center, along with the Fort Bragg/Fayetteville chapter of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, will host the 6th Annual Kayak Fish and Float Workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hobie Kayak Pro Angler Capt. Jerry Dilsaver and Jonathan Grady of the Hobie Fishing Team will present workshops throughout the day on the following topics:
•Kayak Safety and Rigging
•Kayak Fishing for Mackerel
•Inshore Kayak Fishing
•Kayak Fishing for Bass and Panfish.
While participants will not kayak fish at the event, they will have an opportunity to test out kayaks from Jackson Kayak, Hobie and Wilderness Systems, at Lake Rim.
April 18 – Introductory Fishing for Adults from 6 to 8 p.m.
During this workshop, novice anglers ages 16 and older will learn the basics of fishing, as well as tips and tricks for both freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing. Topics include equipment and terminal tackle selection, knot tying, general rigging, baiting the hook, casting and fish handling. All materials are included.
April 26 – Introduction to Kayak Fishing (Level II) from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
This workshop, which is open to participants 16 and older, is the second in a series of three designed to give anglers and paddlers the skills to safely and successfully fish in sheltered waters from a kayak. Participants will meet at Lake Rim, which is directly across the street from the Pechmann Center, for instruction on launching and landing a kayak, paddle strokes, capsize recovery, anchoring and basic fishing techniques. Participants should have completed Introduction to Kayak Fishing Level 1 before taking this workshop. All equipment and materials are provided. The workshop is limited to 12 participants.
April 28 – Advance Fly-tying Forum from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
This monthly fly-tying forum takes place the fourth Thursday of each month and provides participants with an opportunity to enhance their fly-tying skills. It is an extension of the Commission’s Beginning Fly-tying Course, and participants are given a handout for each pattern that includes the materials list and tying instructions so they can practice at home. The handout may be added to the fly-tying handbook that participants receive in the Beginning Fly-tying Course. While participants are encouraged to use their own equipment, equipment and materials are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. This forum is open to participants of all skill levels ages 10 and up; however, participants 15 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
While all workshops are free, space is limited and pre-registration online is required. For additional information about the seminars, contact Tom Carpenter at Thomas.carpenter@ncwildlife.org or 910-868-5003, ext. 15.
The John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center is located at 7489 Raeford Road, across from Lake Rim. Wildlife Commission staff at the Pechmann Center conducts fishing workshops, events and clinics throughout the year. Most programs are free and open to the public. For more information about the center, or to see a schedule of upcoming events, visit www.ncwildlife.org and click on the “Learning” link.
For more information on fishing in public, inland waters, visit www.ncwildlife.org/fishing.
