Project Healing Waters holding fly-tying event March 4

Organization aids injured veterans and servicemembers

Fayetteville chapter of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing are holding the Fourth Annual Marabou Madness Fly-Tying Event on March 4 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Pechmann Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville.

This free event offers a day of fly-tying and fly-fishing instruction for active members of PHWFF, an organization that aids injured service members and disabled veterans in their physical and emotional recovery through instruction in fly fishing, fly casting, fly tying and rod building.

Conway Bowman will provide attendees instruction on fly fishing for carp, redfish, and giant sharks. Bowman is the owner/operator of Bowman Bluewater, a premier saltwater fly guide service and principle owner of the Ragged Edge Fly Fishing School. He currently holds the International Game Fish Association world record for redfish on a fly.

“Conway Bowman’s name has become synonymous with ‘extreme’ fly fishing and we are very excited to have him join us for our fourth Marabou Madness fly-fishing event,” said Thomas Carpenter, Pechmann Center director. “He has been seen on a number of outdoor shows and has chronicled his fly-fishing exploits in numerous books and magazines, recently authoring the book, ‘Orvis Saltwater Fly Fishing 101’.”

In addition to the tying instruction, attendees can participate in a tying contest, register for drawings and a raffle, and try their hand at fishing in the Pechmann Center’s stocked ponds. Jersey Mike’s will provide lunch for attendees and Mission BBQ will cater a dinner. An awards ceremony will take place after dinner.

While the Marabou Madness Fly-Tying Event is free for active members of the PHWFF, a limited number of tickets is available for supporters of PHWFF who wish to take part in the fly-fishing instruction. Tickets cost $50 and all proceeds will go to support fly-fishing and fly-tying activities of the Fayetteville PHWFF program.

To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Carpenter at 910-868-5003, or tom.carpenter@projecthealingwaters.org.

PHWFF is a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for injured, active-duty military members and disabled veterans to participate in fly-fishing activities, such as fly casting, fly tying and rod-building. Additionally, participants can take part in several fly-fishing outings that are offered each year, at no charge.

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 check on summer clinics, visit www.ncwildlife.org and click on the “Learning” link. For more information on fishing in public, inland waters, visit www.ncwildlife.org/fishing.