Basic fly-tying course offered

Middletown — The Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H program and local sportsmen’s clubs are sponsoring a five-week fly-tying course at Gander Mountain in Middletown beginning on Thursday, Jan. 11. The course is open to adults and youth ages 9 to 17. The nonrefundable fee is $7 per child for 4-H members and $17 per child for non-4-H members or adults. Fly-tying is the art of tying string, yarn, thread, feathers, and other materials to a fish hook so that it lures fish to the hook. Instructors are members of the Southern Catskill Anglers, Ray Bergman Chapter-Trout Unlimited, Black Rock Fish & Game Club, Catskill Fly Tiers Guild, and Fontinalis. They will work with beginners and more advanced tiers. If participants have their own equipment, they may bring it. If not, all the equipment and supplies needed to make flies will be provided. The class will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the following Thursdays: Jan. 11, 18, and 25, and Feb. 1 and 8 (snow date is Feb. 15). Gander Mountain is located at 100 North Galleria Dr. To register, call the Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Program at 344-1234 before Jan. 9.