BREVARD, N.C. (April 30, 2015) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has announced its May schedule of outdoors events and programs at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Transylvania County.

All events are free and require pre-registration on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• Nature Nuts: Salamanders – May 4, 13 & 23; 9-11 a.m. For ages 4-7. Explore Pisgah National Forest in search of the area’s most fascinating amphibians, salamanders.

 

• Eco Explorers: Bird Watching – May 4 & 23; 1-3 p.m. For ages 8-13. Discover the types of birds you can expect to find at backyard feeders and in the forest.

 

• Beginner Outdoor Photography (Level I) – May 2; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For ages 14 and older. Brush up on the basics of photography and composition while focusing on wildlife and their habitats.

 

• On the Water: West Fork Pigeon River – May 7; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For ages 12 and older. Practice fly-fishing skills with experienced fly-fishing instructors on the Delayed Harvest section of the West Fork of the Pigeon River. Learn about wading, reading the water, fly selection, presentation, casting, knots and aquatic entomology. Equipment and materials provided. Meet at the Sunburst Recreational Area off Hwy. 215. Call the center for directions. Bring a bag lunch.

 

• Introduction to Fly-Fishing – May 9; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For ages 12 and older. Experienced instructors introduce students to the basics of fly-fishing. Topics include equipment, knots, casting techniques and aquatic entomology. Equipment and materials provided. Bring a bag lunch.

 

• On the Water: Little River – May 12; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For ages 12 and older. Practice fly-fishing skills with experienced fly-fishing instructors on the Delayed Harvest section of the Little River. Learn about wading, reading the water, fly selection, presentation, casting, knots and aquatic entomology. Equipment and materials provided. Meet at the Hooker Falls parking area. Call the center for directions. Bring a bag lunch.

 

• Fly-Fishing Skills: Casting for Beginners – May 19; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For ages 12 and older. All equipment provided, bring a bag lunch and meet at Lake Imaging parking area in DuPont State Recreational Forest. Call the center for directions.

 

• Introduction to Fly-Fishing: Lake Fishing – May 20; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  For ages 12 and older. Learn the basics of fly-fishing while fishing on a local lake. Bring a bag lunch and meet at High Falls parking area in DuPont State Recreational Forest. Must have completed Intro to Fly-Fishing or equivalent experience.

 

• Introduction to Tenkara – May 23; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For ages 12 and older. Guest presenter Jason Sparks of Appalachian Tenkara is the instructor for the clinic on an increasingly popular form of traditional Japanese fly-fishing. Bring a bag lunch and take part in a hands-on learning session.

 

• On the Water: Davidson River – May 25; 9 a.m. to noon. For ages 12 and older. Practice fly-fishing skills with experienced instructors on the Catch and Release section of the Davidson River. Learn about wading, reading the water, fly selection, presentation, casting, knots and aquatic entomology. Equipment and materials provided.

 

• Family Fly-Fishing Day – May 26; 9 a.m. to noon. For ages 8 and older. Spend a day of fun and learning with experienced instructors who will introduce you to the basics of fly-fishing. Equipment and materials provided.

 

• Close-up Outdoor Photography (Level II) – May 30; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For ages 14 and older. Learn the settings and techniques for getting the closest, sharpest image of the fascinating world of tiny plants and animals. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a camera.

For more information, call 828-877-4423 or sign up online.

The Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education is located near Brevard, just south of Asheville, by the Davidson River in Transylvania County. The center features nature trails and five large aquariums representing aquatic mountain habitats. The center is adjacent to the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery, where trout are raised in 54 raceways. The center’s hours of operation through November are Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

For more information on the Wildlife Commission’s four wildlife education centers and other activities and events, visit www.ncwildlife.org/learning.

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Media Contact:
Lee Sherrill
828-877-4423
lee.sherrill@ncwildlife.org