FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (April 30, 2014) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is offering a free Family Fishing Workshop on May 31 at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville. 

The workshop, which will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, is designed to teach all family members the basic skills of fishing.

“If you have never gone fishing before, this event will help you get comfortable with a rod and reel,” said Pechmann Center Director Kristopher Smith. “Touch a worm, bait a hook, tie a knot, cast a line and catch a fish. By getting folks comfortable with the basics of fishing, we hope to inspire in them a love of fishing for years to come.”

This is the first time the Pechmann Center has offered this event, and Smith expects a good turnout for the inaugural event.

“We’ll start out the morning with learning how to tie on your hook and rig your pole, followed by what we call ‘The Fishing Fear Factors’ — things like touching a worm, baiting a hook, and other activities that can unnerve some folks — followed by an hour of fishing on our stocked ponds,” Smith said. “Because of the opportunity to go fishing and the fact that many folks in Fayetteville are familiar with the center as a great place to practice catch-and-release fishing, we expect to see a lot of familiar faces.”

Due to space constraints, the course is limited to 100 participants and pre-registration is required. Free loaner rods and reels and bait will be provided.

To register or for more information, contact Smith at 910-868-5003, ext. 14 or kris.smith@ncwildlife.org.

The John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center is located at 7489 Raeford Road, across from Lake Rim. Wildlife Commission staff at the Pechmann Center conducts fishing workshops, events and clinics throughout the year. Most programs are free and open to the public. For more information about the center, or to check on summer clinics, visit the Learning page.

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Media Contact:
Jodie B. Owen
919-707-0187
jodie.owen@ncwildlife.org