By Noah Evans, Penn State News

Some may not know it, but Penn State has a rich culture surrounding the art and sport of fly fishing.

The University’s fly fishing program was founded in the 1930s, and now, the Penn State Fly Fishing Club, in the College of Agricultural Sciences, continues this tradition with an ever-growing and diversifying community of more than 80 members.

According to Gino Bartolini, a second-year student majoring in finance and the club’s president, the organization’s goals include promoting conservation while also helping to foster the next generation of fly-fishers.

With members ranging from experienced anglers to people who never have picked up a fly rod, the Fly Fishing Club is an opportunity for anybody interested in the outdoors to build meaningful connections and lifelong friendships with those who have similar passions, Bartolini noted.

Within the past year alone, the club has seen a spike in turnout, with record attendance from both men and women.

Bartolini also emphasized the importance of the community that has been created through the Fly Fishing Club.

“You make a lot of friends in the club,” Bartolini said. “When you have a vehicle, a couple of fishing rods and some time, the possibilities are endless.”

In addition to enjoying the outdoors, conservation is another top priority of the club.

“It is important to us that we leave the surrounding nature better than we found it,” said Bartolini, adding that when interacting with wildlife, proper etiquette is extremely important, such as the proper way to handle fish.

For example, fishers can greatly increase the chances of survival for a fish they catch and release by wetting their hands before handling it, which helps to leave the fish’s naturally occurring protective slime coating intact.

Additionally, most club members also use barbless hooks to prevent injury to fish.

“The streams around Penn State remain such an amazing resource partly because everybody does their best to conserve the local natural resources,” said member John Scott, a third-year student majoring in electrical engineering.

The club has regular outings to local fishing destinations such as Spring Creek, where members said they enjoy catching fish together while building community.

“There is no experience needed to join,” said Scott. “We have people in the club who are very experienced fly fishers who go on trips with those who are new to fly fishing. Everyone catches fish in the same trip, regardless of previous experience. It is nice that we have the opportunity to help beginners catch their first fish.”

Bartolini and Scott both agreed that a favorite club experience occurred when a member who was new to the sport went on her first club outing. Within four hours, she had caught several fish, including the largest recorded in club history.

Steven Huddart, senior associate dean for research and faculty in the Smeal College of Business and the club’s advisor, said he’s proud of the group’s performance and teamwork.

“The Fly Fishing Club is led by responsible officers who possess a deep knowledge of the sport they love,” Huddart said. “It is great that the club organizes outings. Carpooling and sharing gear make the sport accessible to everyone.”

According to club members, catching fish is only one part of the membership experience. Members also can attend meetings to share fly patterns and tie flies in preparation for the next outing.

When tying a fly, Bartolini said the goal is to transform a bare hook so that it successfully imitates the aquatic insects that native fish would typically prey on in local streams. The illusion is achieved through a combination of feathers and furs, and patterns change depending on the species of organisms that frequent the waters at different times of the year.

When tying flies, members either may work independently or distribute a pattern amongst the group that has been working well for catching fish. Oftentimes, some of the more experienced members assist beginners in replicating this pattern so that everyone may succeed together at the next outing.

“It is one thing to catch a fish,” Bartolini said, “but it is a very special thing to catch it using a fly that you made yourself.”

In addition to the biweekly outings, the Fly Fishing Club also offers the opportunity to learn from professionals within the industry.

In the past, guest speakers have included fly fishing legend and pioneer Joe Humphreys. At 94, Humphreys — who resides in Centre County — was able to assist even the most experienced club members to hone their techniques.

Penn State also offers a fly fishing class led by two-time United States National Fly Fishing champion George Daniel, who was ranked in the top five people in the world during his time competing in the sport.

“We are like one big family here,” Scott said. “I might not see somebody between outings, but we all catch up with each other and just enjoy catching fish like no time has passed.”

(Reprinted from Penn State News.)

[Posted: May 8, 2023]

5/15/2023