Team Clover Learns Fly Fishing

Although we are having a Bug Themed 4-H year our members still wanted to take a fishing trip.  With fishing season just staring to open in our area who wouldn't want to go fishing.  Plus we practically live on the banks of the Delaware River so fishing in our area is kind of a must do.  So what a better way to tie fishing into learning about bugs then to learn about "Fly Fishing".  And who better to teach the members then someone who's job is literally doing guided fishing/hunting tours like Ryan Fifield from Fifield Outfitters.

Thank you Ryan Fifield from Fifield Outfitters for teaching Team Clover to fly fish.

First of all I just want to say that Team Clover was very lucky to be able to have this presentation and we can not thank him enough.  Everything was very nicely set up and the members all learned a ton about fly fishing from Ryan.  We started off with some basic info, learning about fly fishing, the poles/equipment needed and then went right into learning about fly fishing on a drift boat.  It was a great learning experience for members and their families that attended as well. Of course everyone wanted a turn on the boat even though it wasn't in the water so we had to take time for that and they were more then happy to oblige us the photo opp.

 

Keeping with our bug themed 4-H year the Fifield's also set up a nice display of local bugs and the fishing flies that represented each that we may encounter when we are fly fishing the Delaware River.  Members all had the opportunity to see each of the flies and were a bit surprised that the tied flies didn't look exactly as the bug itself did but would still catch the fish.  As a gift from the Fifields each member was also presented with a beginner fly fishing book and a "hatch chart" which would tell them when to expect which bugs to be on the river.  During this part of the presentation lots of questions were asked and answered.  It was very informative and we can not thank them enough for all the information and help.  Oh and the great books too.

   

And since no fishing class is complete without actually learning to fish Ryan took each member and showed them the how to properly cast a fly pole into the water.  Obviously the members all enjoyed their turns and though none had ever done it before we had quite a few "naturals" when it came to casting the line.  Who knows maybe we sparked a new generation of fly fishing men/women?  I know its on my kids list of wants to do again. 

   

Team Clover really enjoyed this opportunity and hopefully some day we can have then back to work with us again.  I heard lots of members saying how they wanted to fly fish after this presentation, one family talked about a birthday gift for their member and a friend possibly taking a fishing trip with Fifield Outfitters as well.  It truly was a fishing experience that members will remember for years to come.  

Special Thank going out to Ryan Fifield to the members 5th Grade Teacher Mrs. Fifield as they took the time from their very busy schedules to help teach Team Clover about fly fishing.  It is a great treat for the club to have such an amazing community to help us in our many adventures we have in 4-H.  Knowing we have locals in our community like the Fifields who are willing to help teach these members about what they know makes where we live even better.

Thinking about taking a fly fishing trip on the Delaware River yourself?  Then I recommend you stop by Fifield Outfitters website or facebook pages (links below) and check into one of their guided trips, I'm sure you wont be sorry.

www.fifieldoutfitter.com or at www.facebook.com/Fifield-Outfitters