My quest last year to start up the Sun Lakes Fly Fishing Club (previously known as the IronOaks Fly Fishing Club) was jump started by bringing in a professional fly fishing instructor, Jack Houck, from the Scottsdale’s Orvis Fly Fishing Store to teach Orvis’s 101 and 201 fly fishing classes. After learning the basics of knot tying, gear and casting techniques in the 101 class, the group met the following week for the 201 class which was an actual hands on fly fishing class and held at the Fingerling Lake in Ironwood. I never stop yelling “Fish On! Fish On!” because almost everyone caught multiple bass within a couple of hours.

I must say, I enjoyed it that much I even went home to try and learn how to tie my own flies by reading books like the one by Drew Chicone. I was so into it and so was everyone else. Because of the enthusiastic turn-out we received last year, the club was started and our membership has grown to over 50 members. The club’s philosophy is to bring people together that want to fly fish; no red tape, no politics, catch and release, just wet your lines and go hunting. The club meets informally on a monthly basis at the Oakwood library and last year members went on numerous ½ day and overnight fly fishing trips to a variety of fisheries throughout Arizona. Be an experienced caster or new to fly fishing, all Sun Lakes residents are welcomed to join our club.

In conjunction with the Sun Lakes Fly Fishing Club, professional instructors from Orvis will be here in February to conduct fly fishing classes. These classes are free and are exclusively for Sun Lakes residents only. If you ever thought about trying out fly fishing or would like to brush up on the basics, then these classes are designed for you. All rods, reels and equipment will be provided.

The first 101 class is scheduled for February 11 at 12:30 p.m. at Cottonwood in the A9 Phoenix Room and is primarily for Cottonwood and Palo Verde residents. Their 201 class will be held on February 18. An additional 101 class is scheduled for February 19 at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakwood’s library primarily for Oakwood and Ironwood residents. Their 201 class will be held on February 26 at 12:30 p.m. Unfortunately, Sun Lakes Country Club won’t allow us to hold classes at their location, so their residents can attend classes at one of the other locations. These classes are limited to 15 residents and you must reserve your space prior to the class; and in order to attend the 201 class, you must attend the 101 class first. If the requested reservations are greater than what the scheduled classes can handle, then additional classes will be arranged.

For more information or to reserve your place in one of the forthcoming classes please contact me at 480-521-1060; e-mail me at [email protected].; or you can contact Van Newville at 480-772-8655 or e-mail him at [email protected].

“My biggest worry is that my wife (when I’m dead) will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it.” ~Koos Brandt

Tight Lines,

George Abernathy