Education
Adults
Our members teach full day fly fishing classes offered through the Payson Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department. For these Saturday classes. all needed equipment is provided.
Half of the day is in a classroom format where participants learn about: aquatic insects, useful flies for Rim Country, where to find fish and why, fly rods and reels, helpful fly fishing equipment, fly fishing knots, and additional useful information.
The casting/fishing session takes place at Green Valley Lake. After some initial casting demonstrations and practice, the participants and their coaches spend the rest of the time focused on what the participants would like to cover. Some choose to utilize their coach for refining their casting skills, while others choose to spend time on how to actually catch fish with a fly rod.
Participants need to register in advance either at the Parks and Rec. office or online as each session is limited to 10 fishers.
Youth
After school fly fishing instruction is offered to interested 4th and 5th grade students who attend Julia Randall Elementary School in Payson, AZ
The spring program meets once a week for the full semester. The classroom sessions prepare students for the fly fishing sessions that start with casting practice and then culminate with several weeks of fly fishing with experienced fly fishing coaches.
The fall semester is offered once a week after school, but has a fly tying focus. The students tie several different fly patterns over the course of the semester, and every third week try out their creations on the fish in Green Valley Lake.
Additionally the 2nd grade class has “Trout in The Classroom” where they raise rainbow trout fingerlings from eggs and learn of their ecology.
Members
We meet the last Saturday of every month (except Jul & Dec) at Tiny’s restaurant in Payson. Where we learn from guest presenters various facets of Fly Fishing and Conservation. Past presenters have included the AZ Fish & Game Commissioner, Hatchery Managers, and Fly fishing entrepreneurs. We also plan and report on fishing trips that we take individually and as an organization.
Additionally each Tuesday we meet at Tiny’s for our “Lie and Tie” where we have lunch and learn and tie a new bug. Interspersed with “awe inspiring” tales of members latest fishing adventure in Rim Country
