The Allen County Fly Fishers will hold a session for basic casting instruction at 7 p.m. March 15 at the Harrod Events Center located at 9520 Harrod Road in Harrod.
Club president Brad Sherrick is hoping “that we see some new faces at the casting clinic.” He added, “If it is a success, we may schedule several more during the winter months next year.”
Those who are curious about fly fishing, including beginners and seasoned veterans, are welcome to attend any of the club’s events. Rods will be available for those who do not own a fly rod.
Sherrick noted usually 8-10 people attend meetings, including regulars and newcomers.
“We would love to see some new faces,” he said.
The club will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Allen County Sportsmen and Farmers Association clubhouse located at 1001 South Kemp Road in Lima.
How to set up a fly reel and different ways of carrying gear to the stream plus learning basic knots used in fly fishing will be covered.
Ardent fly fishers usually begin fishing for crappies in March. Among favorite flies are a wiggler or Crappie Candy. Sherrick says Pheasant Tail Nymphs or Hare’s Ear Nymphs also work well.
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Kyle Weisenburger leaves for his next Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit bass tournament Monday and is ready “to get back into the tournament mode.”
March 13-16 he will be fishing the Harris Lake Chain in Leesburg, Florida. Practice days are Thursday and Friday. The Columbus Grove pro had stopped off at the Harris Lake Chain following fishing a Toyota Series tournament at Lake Ockeecobee in Clewiston, Florida, in February. He finished 38th at the tourney.
“I was able to put in 2 1/2 days of scouting when I was there. I feel I was able to see most of the chain of lakes and got some areas I want to revisit when I return for official practice,” he said.
He finished 111th in the circuit’s opening tourney at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Brookeland, Texas.
Weisenburger will fish the Toyota Series tourney at Santee Cooper, April 7-9, in Summerton, South Carolina.
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With numerous bodies of water being ice free, anglers have already been out wetting a line or are seriously thinking about it. This is the time those planning to fish and hunt should check their license expiration date.
An annual fishing license for Ohio residents costs $25 for those 16 years old and older. A senior license for those ages 66 and older costs $10. Fishing licenses are valid for one year from the date of purchase and can be purchased up to 30 days prior to the expiration date. A fishing license is required to fish in Ohio public waters.
Many Ohioans buy their hunting license at the same time they purchase their fishing license. Ohio’s annual resident hunting licenses for the 2022-23 seasons are $19 for adults and $10 for youth. Hunting licenses are valid immediately after purchase through Feb. 28, 2023. All hunters, regardless of age, are required to carry a valid hunting license to hunt or trap in Ohio.
Anglers and hunters may purchase their licenses at participating agents, online at wildohio.gov and through the HuntFish OH app.
Funds from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, along with excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment directly benefit wildlife management and habitat conservation efforts in Ohio. Funds also support improvements to fishing access, shooting ranges and wildlife areas.
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Although sandhill cranes are still listed as a threatened species in Ohio, the number of these unique birds is expanding in the state. It is estimated there are now 85 breeding pairs in Ohio. Flocks of 150 have been sighted during recent waterfowl surveys.
These birds often are heard before they are seen since they blend into the marshlands where they often are found in Ohio. Their unique call is impressive. A great place to see and hear them is Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and other marshland areas along Lake Erie.
A volunteer Ohio crane count will take place April 9. This count is being launched by the Ohio Division of Wildlife (DOW) in conjunction with the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative and the International Crane Foundation. According to the DOW, this count is largely reliant on volunteer citizen scientists. This is a one-day count and estimates of the sandhill crane breeding population and raises awareness of their presence in Ohio. Those interested in participating can learn more at obcinet.org.
According to the wildlife agency, the slowly expanding breeding population shows the success of ongoing conservation work, such as the H2Ohio program, in the state.
Al Smith is a freelance outdoor writer. You may contact him at@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter @alsmithFL
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