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Fishing and Bird-Watching Seminars in Castleton in March, April

Hands-on presentations include fly tying and spring fishing techniques, bird photography and a guided bird walk

 

CASTLETON, Vt. – Vermont Fish & Wildlife is offering several educational seminars this winter and spring, covering topics from fishing to photography to bird-watching at the Kehoe Conservation Camp in Castleton, Vermont. Information about these and other department-sponsored public events is at www.vtfishandwildlife/calendar.  

Introduction to Fly Tying, Mondays, March 11, 18, 25, and April 1, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

 

Learn the basics of tying flies for fly fishing in this fun, hands-on series and walk away with some beautiful new flies. Participants will learn terminology, tools and basic fly patterns.

This course is part of a partnership between the Green Mountain Fly Tyers and Vermont Fish & Wildlife. There is a $20 materials fee and tools will be provided but participants are welcome to bring their own. For additional information and to register contact Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s Let’s Go Fishing program at letsgofishing@vermont.gov or 802-265-2279.

 

Photography Presentation and Bird Walk, Sunday, April 28, 10:00 a.m. – noon.

 

Vermont wildlife photographer Brian Machanic will present a photography presentation entitled The Art in Birding. Following Machanic’s presentation, Ali Thomas of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department will lead a one-hour field walk on Bonsawino Wildlife Management Area to help participants identify some of the amazing birds that can be found there. 

 

Machanic is a native Vermonter who has had a passion for wildlife since childhood and has been an avid naturalist and photographer his whole life.  He began selling scenic and wildlife images 30 years ago at his Nature’s Eye Studio in Charlotte and has published photos and stories in regional and national magazines.

 

The event is limited to the first 25 participants. To register, contact Ali Thomas at alison.thomas@vermont.gov or 802-371-9975. 

 

Introduction to Fishing with Planer Boards Saturday, March 30, 9:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m.

 

This seminar is a basic introduction to trolling while utilizing planer boards. Planer boards allow anglers to cover a large swath of water at various depths and speeds by trolling multiple lure and bait presentations away from the boat's motor noise. This is an excellent technique for targeting salmon, rainbow and lake trout in spring, as well as walleye, bass and pike in summer. Boards can be applied in both lakes and rivers. The seminar will cover many aspects of the equipment, such as vessel rigging, types of rods, reels, lines, lures and streamer fly presentations for targeted species. For additional information and to register contact Vermont Fish & Wildlife’s Let’s Go Fishing program at letsgofishing@vermont.gov or 802-265-2279.