Pickerel on the Fly -- An Expert's Presentation

[Mark]

On Saturday, 23 March, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. local angling expert Joe Bruce will be at the Free State Fly Fishers (FSFF) clubhouse in Davidsonville, MD to share his ample knowledge of catching chain pickerel on the fly from a kayak. He will do a short Powerpoint presentation on how he reads the water and where pickerel reside seasonally. He will show his simple homemade leader system -- which I have found most useful, by the way. He will demonstrate the various retrieves he uses to entice finicky fish. And he will bring his kayak to show you how he rigs it for shallow water fishing. Joe is very engaging and there will be plenty of time for questions and answers.

There is no charge for entry but you will leave with a wealth of kayak fishing knowledge.

This link provides more information about the presentation:

http://fs-ff.com/wp-content/uploads/...sion-Flyer.pdf

And this link provides directions to the clubhouse:

http://fs-ff.com/index.php/clubhouse-location/

Please join us for an informative Saturday morning presentation sponsored by the FSFF. It will be well worth your time.

Thank you,

[J. Rentch]

Should be a good one!

[Mark]

Should be a good one!

It was!

Joe Bruce spoke to two dozen members and guests at this morning's presentation on fly fishing for pickerel at our Davidsonville clubhouse.

He covered all aspects of catching pickerel on the fly in an excellent three-hour combination briefing and demonstration.

He started with a slide show to discuss pickerel habitat. With photos from his fishing trips he described precisely where to look for them on the water -- their preferences for structure and where they are likely to be during all seasons of the year. He listed the actual bodies of water that he finds most productive for pickerel. He also showed what flies he uses. Here he is speaking to an attentive audience during the slide show:

FSFSPick1.jpg

Next he demonstrated his leader system for pickerel. Joe creates a tapered bite-resistant leader from 50 and 40 pound mono using a simple double overhand (Surgeon's) knot. They are an economical and effective alternative to commercial tapered leaders. In fact, he brought finished pickerel leaders as a giveaway item for all those present today, a very nice gesture. Here he is showing us how he measures, cuts and ties his leaders:

FSFFPick2.jpg

Next, we went outside where Joe showed how he rigs his kayak for pickerel and other shallow water fishing:

FSFFPick3.jpg FSFFPick4.jpg

While outside, Joe demonstrated casting and fly retrieval techniques:

FSFFPick5.jpg

Then we went back inside for an informative question and answer session:

FSFFPick6.jpg

Joe covered so much information he distributed a handout to attendees summarizing his main points. It was simply an outstanding presentation by one of the most knowledgeable and proficient anglers in our area and beyond who also happens to be a FSFF member.

Today's presentation was indicative of the events sponsored by the FSFF. Next Saturday morning is our Spring Swap Meet/Flea Market at our Davidsonville clubhouse.

I posted the details of that event here: http://www.snaggedline.com/showthrea...urday-30-March

Please come if you can.

I've seen some of the items that will be present for sale and we have a lot of tying materials at very good prices. Members will also be bringing rods and reels for sale.

The best items go fast so please come early.