By Kirk Deeter

I'm happy to kick off the week with this dispatch from Fly Talker Alex Pernice, who just returned from a kid's fly fishing camp sponsored by Trout Unlimited:

"I just got back from a week with some guys from the Oak Brook TU camp on Michigan's famous Au Sable River. We spent most of the time learning about how to fly fish a river and how this river system is managed. We had a few guests like  Todd White, a graduate student from Michigan, who taught us about the bugs in the river (mayflies, Caddis flies, and other aquatic bugs and invertebrates). We also had a professor from Michigan State come and teach us about river hydrology and why it matters.

"We also got quite a bit of fishing in, and for all of those who did not know how to fly fish, they taught casting basics and catch and release practices too. We left with a knowledge of how to read a river,  how to identify what was hatching, and fly casting and tying basics. All kids that went to this camp came home with a new fly rod and reel, flies and the knowledge acquired from their mentors, which hopefully will lead to all involved in the camp's program and to enjoy fishing (specifically FLY fishing more).   I think this camp is a great way to get your kids or anyone started on the great sport we all love, fly fishing.

"I would like to thank all of the mentors, kids, people that donated their time or money to make this possible, and all involved for making this a great experience for me, and I hope everyone else feels the same.

"Please click here to visit the camp's website.  I encourage all of you who want to make this great sport last, to please join Trout Unlimited." --Alex Pernice

Congratulations to Trout Unlimited for running such an important program.  I'd also encourage all of you to take a kid fishing this month... it's only a few weeks until back-to-school time.  One evening or afternoon can turn a young person on to fly fishing forever.  I think anyone who really loves the sport understands the importance of fostering an interest and commitment among future generations...

Deeter

Comments (16)

from Sick STi wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

I wish there were something like this available when I was younger. I'd love to take a kid fishing, but there aren't any around where I live.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from buckhunter wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Great job AP! You da man. I always look forward to reading your post and you are very worthy of this article.

Your 15? Same age as my youngest. My boys love to fish but haven't picked up the fly bug yet. I have no doubt they will. Currently they consider my little fly rod as an unfair advantage I have over them.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Koldkut wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

This sounds like a great program to be involved with from either end, student or teacher.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from BarkinSpider wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

AWESOME. Nice Job TU!

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from 2Poppa wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Fishing celebrity in the house!
I too look forward to all of your posts,and I'm glad you had this memorable experience,Alex!

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from kirkdeeter wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Hey, I'm going to chime in here and say thank you, and kudos, vis a vis how stand-up cool it is for you commenters above to have congratulated and appreciated Alex and Trout Unlimited... It says a lot for the crowd we're running with here on this blog. Means a lot.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from MLH wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Nice summary, Alex. Maybe you can teach me a few things if I ever run into you on the Au Sable ... or perhaps right here on the F&S site.

I wonder if other TU chapters have similar opportunities for young anglers. Takes some dedicated people to put anything like this on. Nice that it was held at the RAM Center - it is an awesome resource for Michigan sportsmen.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Sounds like one hell of a time and an easy introduction to fly fishing. Especially providing all the materials for them to get started in flyfishing. They have something like that in Florida for the adult level? ha

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Alex Pernice th... wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Thanks guys, It was great, and most states have this sort of program, look for them, I'm sure you're kids will love it.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from countitandone wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Hey AP! Giving back can be contagious...well done. If just a couple of your kids get hooked on fly fishing, it'll be worth all you put into this TU program. Very proud of you...

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from ranger2 wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Yes, outstanding program, and well written summary. Keep up the good work, your generation NEEDS encouragement from amongst its own ranks! Take full advantage of the opportunity to spread the good news about the outdoors, this should be an inspiration to many of us.

Regards, JB

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from aragonnapoles wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Congrats Alex, most of Us don't knew a fly fishing camp.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from chadian wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

capture your moment in history with the enduring leagacy of art. chad lavin studio. www.lavinstudio.com

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Wags wrote 2 years 25 weeks ago

First and foremost, big kudos to you AP for giving back. I had a similar experience this summer. I am currently laid off, but as a result was able to spend time with my oldest son at his first Boy Scout camp. During some down time I made my way to where they were teaching the fly fishing merit badge. When I stopped in they were tying flies, one of the requirements. The young man teaching was doing his best, but he really had no knowledge of fly fishing or fly tying. I gave a few pointers, and before I knew it was volunteering for the next three weeks. Another gentleman happened to stop by, and we were able to tag team along with the instructor to put together a pretty good merit badge class. We were able to get over 40 kids their merit badge over 3.5 weeks.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Hunt_Hard wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

When I was younger I would have loved to gone to some of these. This is a great way of getting some kids interested into the outdoors.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Brian Kozminski wrote 2 years 18 weeks ago

Very Nice Work, and immeasurable how important it is to get our next generation involved and interested conserving our resources! The Kalamazoo Valley Chapter also sponsors a Great Weekend for Youth at Ranch Rudolph near Traverse City, and the Miller Van Winkle Chapter hosts a Childrens Clinic at the Oden Fish Hatchery with remarkable attendance. Keep up the Good Work!!
Tight Lines,
Koz

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

from Sick STi wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

I wish there were something like this available when I was younger. I'd love to take a kid fishing, but there aren't any around where I live.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from buckhunter wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Great job AP! You da man. I always look forward to reading your post and you are very worthy of this article.

Your 15? Same age as my youngest. My boys love to fish but haven't picked up the fly bug yet. I have no doubt they will. Currently they consider my little fly rod as an unfair advantage I have over them.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Koldkut wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

This sounds like a great program to be involved with from either end, student or teacher.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from BarkinSpider wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

AWESOME. Nice Job TU!

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from 2Poppa wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Fishing celebrity in the house!
I too look forward to all of your posts,and I'm glad you had this memorable experience,Alex!

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from kirkdeeter wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Hey, I'm going to chime in here and say thank you, and kudos, vis a vis how stand-up cool it is for you commenters above to have congratulated and appreciated Alex and Trout Unlimited... It says a lot for the crowd we're running with here on this blog. Means a lot.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from MLH wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Nice summary, Alex. Maybe you can teach me a few things if I ever run into you on the Au Sable ... or perhaps right here on the F&S site.

I wonder if other TU chapters have similar opportunities for young anglers. Takes some dedicated people to put anything like this on. Nice that it was held at the RAM Center - it is an awesome resource for Michigan sportsmen.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Sounds like one hell of a time and an easy introduction to fly fishing. Especially providing all the materials for them to get started in flyfishing. They have something like that in Florida for the adult level? ha

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Alex Pernice th... wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Thanks guys, It was great, and most states have this sort of program, look for them, I'm sure you're kids will love it.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from countitandone wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Hey AP! Giving back can be contagious...well done. If just a couple of your kids get hooked on fly fishing, it'll be worth all you put into this TU program. Very proud of you...

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from ranger2 wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Yes, outstanding program, and well written summary. Keep up the good work, your generation NEEDS encouragement from amongst its own ranks! Take full advantage of the opportunity to spread the good news about the outdoors, this should be an inspiration to many of us.

Regards, JB

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from aragonnapoles wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

Congrats Alex, most of Us don't knew a fly fishing camp.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from chadian wrote 2 years 26 weeks ago

capture your moment in history with the enduring leagacy of art. chad lavin studio. www.lavinstudio.com

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Wags wrote 2 years 25 weeks ago

First and foremost, big kudos to you AP for giving back. I had a similar experience this summer. I am currently laid off, but as a result was able to spend time with my oldest son at his first Boy Scout camp. During some down time I made my way to where they were teaching the fly fishing merit badge. When I stopped in they were tying flies, one of the requirements. The young man teaching was doing his best, but he really had no knowledge of fly fishing or fly tying. I gave a few pointers, and before I knew it was volunteering for the next three weeks. Another gentleman happened to stop by, and we were able to tag team along with the instructor to put together a pretty good merit badge class. We were able to get over 40 kids their merit badge over 3.5 weeks.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Hunt_Hard wrote 2 years 23 weeks ago

When I was younger I would have loved to gone to some of these. This is a great way of getting some kids interested into the outdoors.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Brian Kozminski wrote 2 years 18 weeks ago

Very Nice Work, and immeasurable how important it is to get our next generation involved and interested conserving our resources! The Kalamazoo Valley Chapter also sponsors a Great Weekend for Youth at Ranch Rudolph near Traverse City, and the Miller Van Winkle Chapter hosts a Childrens Clinic at the Oden Fish Hatchery with remarkable attendance. Keep up the Good Work!!
Tight Lines,
Koz

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.