If you’re a particularly avid fly fisher, there is open water in Maine where you’re allowed to fish year-round.
If, that is, you’re willing to brave near-freezing water and more-than-numb toes in order to do so.
For the rest of us, the winter months provide the perfect time to hone our fly-tying skills and fill fly boxes for the seasons to come.
And many of us spend most of our tying time alone at the vise, tying in groups is a lot of fun, and can make the time pass more quickly.
Today I’m happy to report that there are a couple of options available for those who’d like to tie some flies, swap some lies, and learn new skills.
First up: The folks at the Pleasant River Fish & Game Club in Columbia will stage a series of free classes at their clubhouse featuring instructor Dave Klausmeyer, the editor of Fly Tyer magazine.
I’ve had the pleasure of sitting in on a Klausmeyer class before, and I can tell you the man really knows his stuff.
The classes will run every Wednesday from Feb. 15 through March 21, and each will begin at 7 p.m. Materials will be provided but each participant must provide their own tying tools. For more information, contact Klausmeyer at 546-7773 or email him at neangler@myfairpoint.net.
Second up: Don Corey, my BDN co-worker and the proprietor of Annika Rod and Fly Learning Center in Holden, will be holding a series of tying classes at the brand-new Annika world headquarters (36 Kingsbury Road).
The Annika classes will be held on Saturday afternoons from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., and guest tiers will lead each session. Cost is $8 per student, but if students spend $10 in the shop on class day, they’ll pay just $4 for the session. All materials and hooks will be provided, class size is limited to eight per day, and students are advised to bring their own tying tools.
An cool feature: Corey will set up a high-definition camera so that students can see the techniques on a large-screen TV as they learn.
On tap:
- Feb 11, nymphs with Ed Dallide and Don Corey
- Feb. 18, dry flies with Zack Dunnett and Don Corey
- March 3, trolling streamers with Rob Dunnett
- March 17, dabbling with deer hair, with Don “Cubby” McCubbin.
For more information, go to annikarodandfly.com
