FAYETTEVILLE – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center is offering seven free fishing workshops for people of all ages and skill levels throughout the month of April. Online registration is required for the workshops, which are open on a first-come, first-served basis.
April 10-11 – Introductory Fishing for Adults held each day from 6 to 9 p.m. Open to ages 18 and up. Participants will learn the basics of what is needed to get started, including equipment and helpful hints to navigate the world of fishing.
April 14 – Kayak Fish & Float Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free informational program, which is open to the public, will include fishing how-to seminars and demonstrations of popular fishing kayaks. Hobie Kayak Pro Angler Capt. Jerry Dilsaver and Jonathan Grady of the Hobie Fishing Team will present workshops throughout the day on kayak safety and kayak fishing.
April 17-19 – Basic Rod Building Course from 6:30 to 9 p.m. each night. Open to ages 16 and up. This free program teaches participants the basic techniques necessary to assemble their own custom fishing rod. Each participant will build a medium action spinning rod which they may keep upon completion of the course. All tools and materials will be provided.
April 18 – Introduction to Kayak Fishing Level II from 6 to 8:15 p.m. Open to ages 16 and older. This free clinic is the second of a three-part series designed to give anglers and paddlers the information required to safely and successfully fish in sheltered waters from a kayak. The clinic, which meets at the Lake Rim Boating Access Area, features sessions with Commission staff and volunteers who teach launching and landing, paddling, capsize recovery, anchoring, trip planning and safety. Participants must complete the Introduction to Kayak Fishing Part I course as a prerequisite.
April 21-22 – Boy Scout Fly Fishing Merit Badge Clinic Open to active scouting members ages 11 and older. Programs include knot-tying, fly-casting, fishing, fish identification, camping and more. To register, Scoutmasters must contact Tom Carpenter, Pechmann Center Director, at 910-868-5003 Ext. 11. The center will register a total of 40 scouts for this program with a maximum number of 10 scouts from each troop.
April 26 – Fly-Tying Forum from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Open to ages 10 and up, but participants under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The forum provides attendees the opportunity to increase their fly-tying skills. Participants are encouraged to use their own equipment, but limited equipment and materials are available upon request. Fly-tying forums occur on the fourth Thursday of each month.
April 27-28 – ABC3 Boating Safety Course from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. This free course, presented by the Fayetteville Sail and Power Squadron, includes a range of topics including an introduction to boating, safety equipment and tips, navigating and more. The course includes a proctored test which satisfies the N.C. safe boating requirement for anyone under 26 years old.
The John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center is located at 7489 Raeford Road in Fayetteville, across from Lake Rim. Commission staff at the Pechmann Center conducts fishing workshops, events and clinics throughout the year. Most programs are free and open to the public. For more information on the Commission’s four wildlife education centers and other activities and events, visit www.ncwildlife.org/learning.