3rd Lake Rim FFC - soggy but productive

[Al]

The 3rd 2006 JEPFEC (Lake Rim) fly fishing clinic was a soggy but productive affair. Only half of the registered participants showed up but that was the half that were really serious about learning more about the sport of fly fishing.

Despite a steady drizzle which sometimes turned into a steady downpour, our cadre of dedicated volunteers taught them the basics of fly fishing, i.e., introduction & overview, fundamentals of casting, basic knots & rod assembly, and NC laws specific to trout fishing.  We then moved to the trout ponds where everyone hooked, and most landed, several brook and rainbow trout.

I saw a lot of wet souls, but I also saw a lot of smiles and heard many compliments about the program.

At the conclusion of the program many of our volunteers picked up their personal rods and tried their luck. Woolybuggers and Ronnie Milstaps seemed to be the flies of choice today, however egg patterns, allieworms and pheasant tails also took a few fish.

When I left at about 4pm, Kris Smith, the Director of the JEPFEC and Paul Gruver where engaged in a friendly contest to see who could catch the most fish. Last thing I heard was Kris  threatening to throw Paul in if he caught one more.

Almost forgot - I caught an 8-10 pound catfish on a #10 allieworm just prior to the start of the clinic. Landed it, but it broke my new 8 pound sten mono leader which I was using as tippet. (Plenty of witnesses) I was throwing a medium bass popper with the AW on a 2 foot dropper.

[OTS]

Great report Al. It really is a good thing that you all are doing down there and I look very forward to seeing you at the next event on the 4th of March.

[Woolly Bugger]

We may try to get out that way for the next deal...

Great report Al!

[phg]

Al, it was an empty threat.  I was already soaked to the bone.   The ticket late was a long cast to a spot about 30' off the far bank.  Let is set a few seconds, and "Fish on!"  I was using a white flashback grub (Ronnie Millsap) under a BWO.  No hits on the dry.

[plumbob]

Looks like the perfect place to teach at. Phg there's your catfish pattern , the allieworm.

[Al]

Looks like the perfect place to teach at. Phg there's your catfish pattern , the allieworm.

Yep, caught several more catfish today on the Allieworm. Nothing big however; that one last week spoiled me.

Thank God the catfish were biting, because the trout had a serious case of lockjaw. They fed them yesterday. Maybe that was the reason for slow bite. Glad we did not have a clinic today.

[Al]

Lake Rim FFC got a big write up in the local Sunday paper today http://www.fayettevillenc.com/article?id=226811