Family-Outdoors

Anglers interested in fly fishing can learn the sport March 15-16 at the Illinois River Fly Fishing School. The clinic will be based out of Tenkiller State Park and will feature instructional sessions as well as hands-on practice on the banks of the Illinois River.             Long-time instructor Mark Patton says the clinic lays a good foundation for both amateur and experienced anglers. While he "starts from the ground up," Patton said even those familiar with fly fishing can benefit from the instruction.             The clinic will offer in depth information on equipment, tackle assembly, knots, flies, casting, and tactics and will include on-stream fishing instruction. According to Patton, participants will leave with a better understanding of fly fishing by learning how the equipment works and why it performs the way it does when operated properly. Upo...

MADISON - Free kids’ ice fishing clinics scheduled for coming weeks are just the ticket for kids suffering through a winter in which scarce snow has put a damper on their sledding, snowball fights and other fun in the snow. Free kids ice fishing clinics are on tap in many communities; this mom and son enjoyed a lesson at the Yahara Fishing Club clinic earlier this month and took home a free ice fishing rod! Tom Raschke Photo The events, sponsored primarily by local fishing and conservation clubs, offer kids a great opportunity to get outside for some fresh air and to learn how to ice fish. Go to DNR’s website and search keywords “ fishing clinic ." The listings provided represent those free clinics the Department of Natural Resources is co-sponsoring or those events for which organizers have provided information to DNR. “These free fishing clinics are a great way to get kids outside to learn a new skill and have a lot of fun,” says Theresa Stabo, DNR aquatic education di...

Iowa Department of Natural Resources logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Whether you want to learn to fish , compete for prizes at a tournament, or just have some fun, there is something for everyone at upcoming fishing clinics held across the state.  A list of fishing clinics is available on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website under the special events calendar at https://programs.iowadnr.gov/ specialevents/Search.aspx .  Activities vary at each clinic and may include fish identification, how to operate a reel, different ways to cast, knot tying, how to handle fish, bait presentations and different fish cleaning methods.  For more information about individual events, call the number listed with the clinic.  Related articles Fishing Areas nearby the Twin Cities Lottery for Castalia Fish Hatchery Beginning Fly Fishing Class Illinois River Fly Fishing School opens additional course this month Iowa: Dnr to Hold Public Meeting to Discuss...

Image via Wikipedia After overwhelming attendance at two fly fishing sessions already held this year, the experts at the Illinois River Fly Fishing School are hosting a third course March 30-31 at Tenkiller State Park. The course was first offered in late February, which quickly filled up and prompted a second course. "We've just had so much interest that we filled up a second and now we are going to do a third," said long-time instructor Mark Patton. The clinic will feature instructional sessions as well as hands-on practice on the banks of the Illinois River. Space is limited. According to Patton, the clinic lays a good foundation for both amateur and experienced anglers. While he "starts from the ground up," Patton said even those familiar with fly fishing can benefit from the instruction. The clinic will offer in depth information on equipment, tackle assembly, knots, flies, casting, and tactic...