The Campbell Reporter
Community
Fly-fishing lessons in Campbell begin at the casting ponds off the Los Gatos Creek trail
By Michelle Sklar
The casting ponds at Los Gatos Creek Park in Campbell are dry this time of year; nonetheless, lines are flying and knots are being tied.
The Flycasters Club of San Jose sponsored a KidCaster fly-fishing workshop that caught the attention of 41 youth, ranging in age from 7 to 18, who spent a sunny afternoon learning about the intricacies of the sport.
"Fly fishing is a personal love," event organizer Ann James says. "I have been wanting to teach my sons how to fly fish, so I contacted the Flycasters Club to see if we could put something together."
James then took it a step further and decided to involve the local Boy and Cub Scouts.
"This activity is an opportunity for them to earn a belt loop or merit badge," James says. " The workshop is a perfect example of the Boy Scouts' motto, 'fun with a purpose.' "
Coincidentally, the Flycasters Club had been brainstorming ways to introduce their members' passion to the next generation, and a partnership was born.
Three workshops were planned in March and April. The first two sessions offered practical and tactical instruction. The third was a "go fishing" day.
During the educational sessions, participants were separated into groups, with names inspired by famous flies, such as Caddis, Stone Fly, PT Nymph and Wooly Bugger
The free workshops were led by members of the San Jose Flycasters Club. More than a dozen Flycasters volunteered their time to make the event possible.
The workshops took place at the Los Gatos Creek Park Casting Ponds off Dell Avenue in Campbell. The casting ponds are among the few in the Bay Area.
"Our club actually paid to have these ponds built," says Flycasters member Phillip Kim, "and we maintain them as well, but they are open to the general public."
Kim says the only other casting ponds he knows of are in Oakland and Golden Gate Park.
Currently, the ponds are dry as part of their annual spring cleaning. "They fill back up again when we get water from the adjacent percolation ponds," says Kim, "and so far this year, we are still waiting."
The groups rotated through a series of stations providing crucial information on the art and science of fly fishing.
On March 24, participants learned about casting, first aid and safety, knot- tying, "leave no trace" and regulations and fly fishing equipment.
"If you get a hook in your eye," cautioned first aid instructor John Fitch, "leave it alone and get to the closest hospital as quickly as you can."
He also suggested participants wear sun or safety glasses to avoid accidents. Fitch is excited about being involved in the workshops.
"These sessions do much more than just train future fly fishers," he says. "They get kids outside and connected with nature."
The second session included outdoor cooking and entomology. This culminated with participants putting their new knowledge to the test on April 1.
Despite the complexity of some of the information, the youngsters were engaged.
"I have never tried fishing," 11-year-old Will Galloway says,"but I will now."
Will says the casting station is his favorite.
Tim Swihart, 15, agrees. He was involved in the workshop because his father is a member of the Flycasters Club and because fly fishing "looks fun."
His friend Scott Dorius, 15, registered for the same reasons, but has his own ideas about which station is the best.
"I like the knot-tying," Scott says. "It takes more patience than you might think."
James and the Flycaster members would like the workshops to become an annual event.
"Fly fishing is a skill that you keep honing over time," Kim says. "It is like playing a musical instrument; there are so many levels of complexity. You just keep improving the more time you put into practicing."
For more information on KidCasters, contact Ann James at 408.259.7421. To learn more about the San Jose Flycasters, visit www.flycasters.org.
