The Connecticut State Museum of Natural History (CSMNH), the Connecticut Fly Fisherman’s Association (CFFA), and the University of Connecticut’s Biodiversity Research Collections (BRC) in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology are once again holding their Aquatic Insects of Connecticut Fly Tying course!
Learn about and create lures mimicking the native aquatic insects that serve as critical food sources for popular game fish in Connecticut’s rivers at this one-day Saturday workshop! Participants will learn to recognize the primary insect groups and how to tie patterns on hooks to simulate their behaviors and ecology while fly fishing in local rivers such as the Fenton, Farmington, and Willimantic Rivers.
On Saturday, June 10th (from 9am to 4pm) you will:
- Learn about the sport of fly fishing and fly tying from experts at the Connecticut Fly Fisherman’s Association (CFFA)
- Receive an introduction to the ecology, evolution, and importance of aquatic insects from Dr. Katrina Menard (University of Connecticut, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology)
- Tie 3 flies representing insect species eaten by Connecticut game fish
- Have the chance to visit the Biodiversity Research Collections at the University of Connecticut to see preserved insect specimens
Participants are encouraged to use their new skills and lures with subsequent participation in the CFFA’s educational programs of casting and advanced tying.
*** Participants aged 12-16 years must be accompanied by a chaperone. This chaperone does not need to pay or register, unless they also want to tie flies during the workshop. ***
Lunch is not included in the registration fee, but you are encouraged to bring your own lunch or you can find lunch nearby (options will be provided at the workshop) during the 1-hour mid-workshop break.
If you require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the CSMNH at 860-486-4460 or [email protected] by Monday 5 June 2023.
