24.04.08 08:58 Age: 2 yrs New Fly Fishing Course Begins at WSCC April 1 Category: March 2008
And while it’s possible to fly fish from the bank, wading into a river is part of the sport’s appeal. The 1992 Oscar Award winning film “A River Runs Through It” demonstrated the poetry of fly fishing and attracted many people to the sport. It is a favorite of many fly fishermen, including Moore. The fly determines what sort of fish a fisherman is likely to attract. Some skim the top of the water, and some travel underneath. Though most people associate fly fishing with trout, Moore said, “You can catch any fish that swims with a fly real.” He’s caught stripes, bass, salt water fish, brim, shell crackers, sun fish—more than 12 species in all. Moore has fished in the big waters of the Hiwassee, which he said is one of the better trout rivers easy of the Mississippi, as well as Little Red River in north central Arkansas where the world record brown trout was caught. His other favorite trips have included fishing in scenic Wyoming at the North Platt and Madison Rivers, and in the Catskills of New York. There are also a lot of good trout streams in the Smokies, he said. Even closer to home, the Mulberry provides waters good for fly fishing, and is navigable by canoe. But the Sipsey, where he learned, remains a sentimental favorite and provides good trout fishing in the tail waters below the dam because it is stocked regularly. There he can also get away from boat traffic. Though Alabama does not, some states designate certain waters as fly fishing only. “Most people don’t think of Alabama as a fly fishing destination—sometimes I won’t see another person all day at a stream—but there are more fly fisherman here than there used to be,” he said. The best way to learn casting, a fundamental fly fishing skill, is to practice on the banks of ponds, and that’s what the Wallace State class will do. Waders won’t be needed for this class, and Moore said they are really only necessary when the water is cold or the quality is uncertain. He often wades in shorts. The class will meet four times in April on Tuesday nights beginning April 1. Each class is two hours, from 5-7 p.m. “This is a very basic class for those who want to get started,” said Moore. “No equipment is necessary.” Moore will bring equipment for participants to use, and provide guidance for those who want to purchase their own fly rod before the first casting lesson. The class will also cover different fly patterns, presentation, the anatomy of a stream—how to read a stream, good places to fish within a day’s drive, and other topics as time permits. Some time will be spent inside in a classroom and some outdoors. To register for Fly Fishing Basics or for more information, call (256) 352-8243; e-mail mary.hall@wallacestate.edu. The details: Fly Fishing Basics Instructor: Pete Moore
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