By Don Daniels
When it comes to learning the art of fly-casting or fly-tying, there are a number of options you can explore.
You can learn on your own by trial and error on the water, hire a guide who knows the river and the set up, or explore the various videos in the world of cyber space.
Here in Campbell River, we are fortunate to have a school program that helps students get out on the water and enjoy the joys of fly-fishing.
Nicolas Pisterzi spent 14 years as a high school teacher at Carihi Secondary in Campbell River and created the Carihi Fly Fishing program. The program has grown from a few students in an after school fly-tying club, to a highly popular program.
Now students are exposed to other activities which include other activities like hiking, kayaking camping and even hunting. Students enrolled in the fly program today will learn conservation and are able to work with DFO to raise salmon for local streams and rivers.
Over the winter months I was in touch with the school and wanted an update of who the new teacher would be and would the program continue. I was pleased to learn that Katherine Mulski was in the process of moving to Campbell River and would take over the fly program at Carihi. The winter was an ideal time to let Katherine relocate to Campbell River and get settled into the classroom get organized and meet the new students.
At the beginning of April, Katherine had invited me to stop by and sit in the class. I gladly obliged because I am interested in why the students attend the fly program and I was impressed with the room itself, and how friendly the students were. They settled into their work area, got their paperwork, grabbed their fly-tying kit and got ready for an outing the next day on the Quinsam River. Some students will be a bit ahead of others but all students get a helping hand in putting together fly patterns that can be fished around Campbell River.
Looking around the class you can see the blackboard with fly patterns that can be used and then it’s head to the kit area and grab the vise and tools and find the materials needed. Students also try their hand at repairing rowboats that have been handed down over time. They fix up leaks and can go out on lakes to fish. I plan to go back at some time and get any updates to this wonderful program for the students.
This Saturday, April 27 from noon to 7 p.m., I will be at Howlers Family restaurant in Ucluelet putting on a fly-tying session with all tools and materials provided at no charge for all those who attend. Throughout the afternoon there will be draws for prizes and I have a number of books that will be given out. This is free to attend for all ages and I hope to see you on Saturday in Ucluelet.