FISH ON THE FLY
The rains came, the streams swelled, but that did not discourage our group of avid fly fishing campers. They spent every waking moment tying flies, setting up and taking down gear, loading gear, traveling, and FISHING! Lots of FISHING!
The rains came, the streams swelled, but that did not discourage our group of avid fly fishing campers. They spent every waking moment tying flies, setting up and taking down gear, loading gear, traveling, and FISHING! Lots of FISHING!
Learning to cast and practice, practice, practice makes for the best fly fishing success. Learning to set the hook and getting the fish to hand comes next. The best place to get that right is with pan fish in a farm pond. So that is the first place we go. And...it was a success. All of us caught fish. Since the rains had blown out the streams, we tried our luck for trout via kayak on a small lake, fun in and of itself.
As the high elevations streams rid their peaks of water, we decided to start at the top and fish for our endemic native brook trout. We landed a few fish and the falls, scenery, and rock climbing added to the wonders of the Blue Ridge and the sport of “bluelining”. This is the term used when we seek out the small blue lines of a map in search of elusive native fish.
Then there was the majestic New River. What a day we had. A vast 7-mile stretch of green water holding our prime target, the smallmouth bass. It was a long day but a productive one as multiple species of fish were landed; sunfish, bluegill, rock bass, and smallies all to the boat.
It was a fun and memorable experience where friends of years past were reacquainted and new ones made. We couldn’t have done it without the help of two wonderful guides that donated their time to these young men. Thank you to Matt Reilly and Joey Whisnant for your rafts, time, patience, and expertise!
Enrichment with Galax Middle School
What a week loaded with lots of fun both inside and out! The students of Galax Middle School played games, made camp, knapped arrowheads, and caught BIG fish.
What a week loaded with lots of fun both inside and out! The students of Galax Middle School played games, made camp, knapped arrowheads, and caught BIG fish.
As part of the enrichment program with Galax City Public Schools, BRDC provides educational hands-on activities focused on the Blue Ridge. Last week we provided cultural heritage exploration as well as outdoor skills to these students. Fly fishing, primitive technology, camping, and highland games were the course offerings for the spring session.
It was a chilly start to the first morning of the fly fishing program, so we focused on equipment and knots, with the students learning those necessary for building leaders and tippet. As an introduction to flies used in fly fishing, Tuesday provided us with warmth and sunshine as we hit the creek looking for aquatic insects . . . aka . . . fish food. After an intro to casting, review, and practice, the fishing began, but to no avail. After a day of no fish fishing, they hit the fly tying table to equip themselves with ammunition. Between the woolly bugger, Griffith’s gnat, and mop fly; something had to catch fish. Friday was the day! The trout hit those woolly buggers and never stopped. We could hardly keep up with the frenzy. It was a stellar fly fishing (and catching) week!
The afternoons provided a multitude of programs. Highland Games introduced the students to some of the cultural heritage of the region. Not only did they participate in Highland-style games, but Appalachian games as well. All week the students competed with one another in the caber toss, sheath toss, haggis hurl, stone put, kiltie dash, and tug-of-war as part of the Scots-Irish highland games. The Appalachian games were mostly indoors and included marbles, jacks, hopscotch, checkers, hoop rolling relays, three-legged races, and jumping rope. The Lions were the winning clan, but each individual was a winner in their own right as they all excelled at something.
Camping is a joy to all kids, big and small. What could be more fun than pitching a tent or chilling in a hammock during the school day? As part of our introductory camping program, the students were introduced to the basic skills and equipment needed to have a safe and enjoyable camping and hiking adventure. The week began with learning where to camp if you find yourself in an unplanned outdoor overnight situation, learning how to build an emergency shelter, and tying knots. It progressed to the ten essentials that one should carry backpacking and hiking, and on to bear safety and water purification. Of course they had to build a fire, cook food, and drink hot chocolate, too . . . it was February!
Cordage “tied” the week together. Primitive technology finished out the week with a multitude of projects that demonstrated the skills needed to provide food and shelter for early peoples of any region. Searching out and finding natural plant materials and resources to make tools and primitive living essentials was the goal of this program. The students made cord from the fibers of plants, pottery from clay, baskets from vines, fire from pine cones, and glue from sap and scat. The highlight was making arrow points from rocks using antlers; definitely a primitive living skill to perfect.
It was a pleasure working with these students and providing them with a new skill or even a new lifelong hobby. Thanks to all the hard work and planning involved for the Galax Middle School staff in pulling this great week of enriching activities together and allowing Blue Ridge Discovery Center to be a part of it. And thanks to Matthews State Forest for the generous use of their facilities and property. It was a fintastic week!
Fly Fishing Camp
They set out to experience all the habitats and environs of the prominent fish species of the area and that they did!
Seven young lads joined BRDC for a week of fly fishing in southwest Virginia. They set out to experience all the habitats and environs of the prominent fish species of the area and that they did! Who knows how many fish they actually caught but I know they caught at least 8 species of fish.
We began teaching them the basics of fly casting in a field and quickly let them test the waters of a local pond. They wasted no time catching three of the species: Bream, Crappie, and Largemouth Bass. Even at night, they had it down using no lights and nothing but the sound of their flies "popping" across the dark water.
Each day they practiced and perfected their cast and learned new techniques such as shooting line, roll casting, and hauling; even Tenkara style fly fishing. They made flies by night and cast them to potential fish by day. It was "FISH ON" for the rest of the week as they traveled to stocked trout streams, tailwaters, high elevation streams and the New River. They caught all three species of trout as well as smallmouth bass and sunfish.
They experienced fly fishing to the fullest extent possible in a little less than a weeks time. They ate good food, played games and roasted marshmallows for S'more's...how much better could it get?
Goin' Fishin'
The weather cooperated for a short afternoon fishing trip to a local pond.
The weather cooperated for a short afternoon fishing trip to a local pond. As part of this month's enrichment programs at Galax Middle School, BRDC guides instructed the kids on fly fishing. They began the course with aquatic insects and their life cycles, and progressed to parts of the rod, reel, and fly line, knots and finally casting.
Friday afternoon, the kids climbed on the bus and headed out to catch a fish on the fly. After a quick snack, we hiked to a local pond that holds some bluegill and bass. Once at the property, we put the rods together, attached our reels, and strung them up with the fly line and leader. After several practice casts to regain our rhythm from the Tuesday lesson, we attached poppers, woolly buggers, and mop flies (the most successful fly). Spreading out to avoid hooking one another, we commenced to fishing!
Everyone saw fish and several had opportunities at catches with three fish landed for the day. We had a great time and are very appreciative of the good weather and the generosity of the private landowner that allowed us the privilege of GOIN' FISHIN'
Getting Ready for the Stream with the NFSP
As part of our enriching programs in Grayson County Public Schools, BRDC provided a week of fly fishing lessons to the ninth grade girls and boys PE classes.
The warming temperatures at the end of February got us fly fishers ready to hit the streams. As part of our enriching programs in Grayson County Public Schools, BRDC provided a week of fly fishing lessons to the ninth grade girls and boys PE classes.
Using the National Fishing in Schools Program (NFSP), we brought a potential lifelong hobby to these students. Each day the program educates the students on various aspects of the sport, not the least of which is proper casting. But that is not all there is to fly fishing. There is the close study of the aquatic insects that are imitated by the fly fisher, the reading of the water, and understanding the habitat of the target species. Through various exercises and games, these students participated in activities that enhanced their learning of that aquatic environment.
Each day the students handled a fly rod as well as learned the principles and foundations of fly fishing, the equipment used in the sport, aquatic insect life cycles and identification, and essential knots. They began with the most basic cast and through repetition and muscle memory, honed in their casting skills ending with the ability to shoot line and perfect a roll cast.
On Friday, they each sat at the vise and created their own imitation of a streamer...the quintessential "woolly bugger". All were proud of their accomplishments and creativity. Some very impressive flies left the building that day. It is our hope that they will end up in the mouth of a fish caught on a fly rod! As a bonus, the students were given the opportunity to write an essay about a "Fish Tale". The best essay will win a full fly rod setup (rod, reel, fly line, and case) and a beginners fly tying kit!
This is all made possible by the generous support of NFSP, VDGIF grants, Echo fly rods and Wapsi. Many thanks for your continued support for this wonderful, enriching program!
Camp on the Fly
Not only did these kids learn and hone in on their fly rod casting skills but they caught 9 species of fish!
What an awesome week of fly fishing! Not only did these kids learn and hone in on their fly rod casting skills but they caught 9 species of fish! Each day we targeted different fishes on different water.
Everybody started the week-long Fly Fishing Camp by learning how to cast a 5 weight fly rod. Each day we advanced instruction to include shooting line, roll casting, and hauling. We also had daily casting competitions, always with a different goal: distance, accuracy, or technique. Other activities included snorkeling, Tenkara fly fishing, reading water, and of course, fly tying.
Our first fishing adventure was on a pond with self made poppers. Large mouth bass, crappie, and bream were caught by everyone. The second day had us exploring a high elevation stream for southern Appalachian brook trout...which everyone also caught! The next two days we spent on the New River fishing from rafts hammering the smallies, red eyes and sunfish. Our one rainy day was spent on a wild trout stream catching rainbows and browns nymphing with pheasant tails and hare's ears standing in frigid waters taking a beating by the rain. Cold and soaked to the bone, these kids were never discouraged or gave up!
They met the challenge of creating an imitation fly, casting to a specified target and setting the hook on a number of species in different bodies of water.
Learning about Amphibians & Aquatic Insects
BRDC has been busy with education programs, working with Galax Middle School, Fries School, Fairview Elementary, Grayson Highlands, Independence Elementary.
Grayson County's fourth grade students participated in the Natural Heritage Program with an emphasis on salamanders, toads, and frogs. Students learned about salamanders commonly found in the Blue Ridge.
BRDC has been busy with education programs, working with Galax Middle School, Fries School, Fairview Elementary, Grayson Highlands, Independence Elementary.
Grayson County's fourth grade students participated in the Natural Heritage Program with an emphasis on salamanders, toads, and frogs. Students learned about salamanders commonly found in the Blue Ridge. Using field guides, they researched different species of salamander and presented their discoveries to the class. The Eastern hellbender was a favorite among the students, as they were shocked by its prehistoric features. Students enjoyed watching a video about the life history of hellbenders provided by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Fifth grade students in Grayson County schools learned about frogs and toads. Students illustrated the life cycle of amphibians, learned the difference between frogs and toads, and listened to the calls of some of Virginia's common species. Many students had heard the calls before, but often didn't know what animal made the calls. The Virginia Herpetological Society's website is a great resource for determining different frog and toad calls: https://goo.gl/v84gqS.
After learning the calls of the American bullfrog, spring peeper, and American toad, students played a Frog and Toad matching game. Using a Peterson Guidebook to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, students matched the species name, picture, and description together.
Galax Middle School After School program has been learning all about aquatic species. BRDC brought aquatic insects from a local stream to the classroom where students got a first-hand look at the life found in our creeks. Students learned about the life cycle of the insects, and enjoyed fly tying with Executive Director Aaron Floyd.
In-school programming keeps BRDC's staff busy, but it is great to work with such a variety grade levels and see the enjoyment and wonder on the children's faces. To stay connected with BRDC follow us on Instagram @blueridgediscoverycenter.
Galax Enrichment Week - Aquatic Adventures
Despite the LOW pressure system hanging over the area bringing inches of rain, the students enthusiasm remained HIGH. They spent the week away from campus at Dannelly Park enjoying Aquatic Adventures.
Despite the LOW pressure system hanging over the area bringing inches of rain, the middle school student's enthusiasm remained HIGH. They spent the week away from campus at Dannelly Park enjoying Aquatic Adventures.
Once given an introduction to water quality and testing procedures, we began the week by collecting data such as temperature, weather and water conditions, pH, dissolved oxygen, and bacteria from Chestnut Creek. This information was then recorded on data sheets. Students used pipettes, titration tubes, syringes and droppers to accurately measure water and chemicals. It was a great hands-on experience in chemistry as they became familiar with sterile technique, meniscus measurement and scientific method.
Tuesday the weather sent us indoors. Matthew State Forest was generous enough to allow us to use their cabin, so we utilized this space to learn about the various flies used in fly fishing. Using vices, chenille, hackle feathers, hooks and thread, the students made woolly buggers, a fly that imitates many things and can be used in multiple scenarios. Everyone seemed to enjoy this great rainy day activity.
Wednesday brought no rain, so we separated into three groups and rotated between three activities at Dannelley Park. Scott Jackson-Ricketts led the fish bugs activity. Waders were put on and the students clambered into the creek to see what they could dredge up. A seine net is placed downstream across the creek and hand rakes, as well as hands, were used to stir the bottom to uncover the macro-invertebrates living below the surface. We removed the net and carried it to a table collecting the aquatic insects in ice trays filled with water. They identified the aquatic insects using a dichotomous key field guide. As with the water quality testing done on Monday, this is an exercise in determining stream health. Brenda Bonk lead the second activity in which the students learned the life cycles of the macro-invertebrates most commonly found; mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies. They had relay races requiring them to match all three aquatic insects' life cycles and the flies that imitate them. And finally, Lisa Benish had the third group learning the parts of the fly rod, fly reel and fly line. The rod and reels were put together and basic casting technique was taught in preparation for fishing days.
The rain held off for us once again on Thursday so we commenced to setting up our fly rods and reels. We did a quick tutorial on how to cast fly line and off to the creek we went with our handmade flies to catch some fish! Lack of trout sent us to a fish pond where we changed our flies from woolly buggers to poppers. Several students caught bluegill and were very pleased with their catch!
We started Friday afternoon finishing up our water quality testing. Students examined the petri dishes that contained the bacterial growth from the water collected on Monday. We counted the number of E. coli colonies that grew on that petri dish and recorded that information on the data collection sheets. They were surprised to see the number of bacterial colonies that grew from our water. Hopefully this will emphasize the need to keep our streams healthy and clean. Once again we put our rods together, attached our flies and headed off to a local pond to catch some bass and bluegill. Just about everyone caught a fish!
So even though the weather was damp and dreary, spirits were not! The students loved getting out of the classroom and out of doors exploring, discovering and sharing their aquatic habitat.
Fished Wilson Creek Tenkara Style
Amelia Hulth with the Grayson Highland State Park, graciously arranged an eager group to join us for a lesson on Tenkara fly fishing on Wilson Creek Friday, August 21.
Tenkara is a traditional type of fly fishing practiced in Japan for hundreds of years. The rod is telescoping and has no reel making it an excellent choice for fishing our mountain trout streams. Amelia Hulth with the Grayson Highland State Park, graciously arranged an eager group to join us for a lesson on Tenkara fly fishing on Wilson Creek Friday, August 21.
Aaron Floyd and myself were joined by two women, a gentleman and three of his sons along Wilson Creek Trail to learn about Tenkara. After some introductory information about Tenkara and fly fishing, fly imitation and reading water for brook trout, we commenced to casting lessons stream side. Everyone picked up the technique quickly and efficiently.
We hiked along the trail in search of accessible pools in which to encounter the elusive brook trout. Separating into small groups, we took turns casting into the pools and runs in the hope of catching this beauty of a trout. The boys climbed rocks and falls (almost as much fun as fishing...almost) in order to reach a great hole. They stalked, in true form, a big brookie from the ledge up above. The fish took but the set was missed. A classic brook trout moment! All the fishers got their flies on target but to our dismay, they landed no fish.
Our infamous guide and seasoned Tenkara fly fisherman, Aaron saved the day with a catch. Everyone left with new skills: Tenkara fly fishing, knot tying, and how to remove their fly from a tree. But most importantly, how much beauty a mountain stream can hold and how simple it is to enjoy it.
Rainbow Trout