Wildlife Commission Schedules Outdoor Activities in the Mountains

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is offering several outdoors-related clinics and classes in May through the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Transylvania County.

All events are free and require pre-registration on a first-come, first-serve basis:

• Nature Nuts: Reptiles – May 10, May 16, May 24; 9-11 a.m. For ages 4-7. Learn the difference between a reptile and an amphibian, and more.
• Eco Explorers: Archery – May 16, May 24; 1-3 p.m. For ages 8-13. Topics covered will include safety, varieties of bows and arrows, and lots of time spent shooting at targets. Equipment and materials are provided.
• On the Water – May 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For ages 12 and older. Practice fly-fishing skills under the supervision of experienced instructors on the Delayed Harvest section of the West Fork Pigeon River. Learn about wading, reading the water, fly selection, presentation, casting, knots and stream entomology during a fun and relaxing morning of fishing. Equipment and materials provided.
• Introduction to Fly-Fishing – May 13, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For ages 12 and older. Experienced instructors teach basics of fly-fishing. Topics covered will include equipment, knots, casting techniques and aquatic entomology. Equipment and materials provided. Bring a lunch.  Limited to six participants.
• Casting: Level I – May 15, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. For ages 12 and older. This introductory class is taught at the individual student’s pace. This class is held at Lake Imaging in DuPont State Recreational Forest. All equipment and materials are provided. Bring a lunch.
• Introduction to Tenkara 101 – May 17, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. For ages 12 and older. Join a special guest presenter, Jason Sparks of Appalachian Tenkara, and learn about this form of traditional Japanese fly-fishing. Topics will include history, equipment orientation, a perspective on Japanese flies (kebari), and using tenkara in local waters.
• Family Fly-Fishing Day – May 20, 9 a.m.-noon. For ages 8 and older. Join experienced and knowledgeable instructors for a day of fun and learning about the basics of fly-fishing. Equipment and materials provided. Limit 10 participants.
• Introduction to Fly Fishing: Lake Fishing – May 22, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For ages 12 and older. Join experienced instructors for the basics of fly-fishing on a local lake. Bring a lunch and meet at High Falls parking area in DuPont State Recreational Forest. Participants must have completed Intro to Fly-Fishing or have equivalent experience.
• Introduction to Tenkara: Level II – May 23, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. For ages 12 and older. Join Jason Sparks of Appalachian Tenkara, for the next step of tenkara fly-fishing. This program will include fishing techniques, detailed equipment options, and casting mechanics for the angler ready to learn advanced techniques.
• Fishing Clinic – May 24, 10 a.m.-noon. For ages 6-12. Enjoy a relaxing morning of fishing in Waynesville. Learn fishing skills, water safety and fishing regulations. Equipment provided. For more information and to register contact Tanya Poole at tanya.poole@ncwildlife.org or call 828-329-3472.
• On the Water – May 26, 9 a.m.-noon. For ages 12 and older. Practice fly-fishing skills under the supervision of fly-fishing instructors on the catch-and-release section of the Davidson River. Learn about wading, reading the water, fly selection, presentation, casting, knots and stream entomology during a fun and relaxing morning of fishing. Equipment and materials provided. 
• On the Water – May 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For ages 12 and older. Practice fly-fishing skills under the supervision of fly-fishing instructors on the wild trout section of Looking Glass Creek. Learn about wading, reading the water, fly selection, presentation, casting, knots and stream entomology during a fun and relaxing morning of fishing. Equipment and materials provided. Meet at the education center.
• Outdoor Photography for the Beginner – May 31, 9 a.m. -1p.m. For ages 14 and older. This program teaches the basics of outdoor photography focusing on wildlife and their habitats. Bring your camera. 

For more information or directions, call 828-877-4423 or sign up online.

The Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education is located near Brevard, just south of Asheville, alongside the Davidson River in Transylvania County. The center features nature trails and five large aquariums representing different aquatic habitats. Visitors to the center also can walk next door to the Bobby N. Setzer Fish Hatchery, where trout are raised in 54 raceways. The center’s hours of operation through November are Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m.

For more information on the four learning centers operated by the Wildlife Commission and other activities and events, visit www.ncwildlife.org/enjoying.