July 2019 Youth STEM Camp

Many thanks to the folks who help with the Anne Arundel County STEM program on July 24th and July 25th.  We were able to teach 19 soon to be high school young folks about fly fishing including fly tying and fly casting on our first day and we were able to take them pond fishing on Thursday. 

On Wednesday, July 24th, we showed up at Lindale Middle School to teach the kids about fly fishing. Some taught fly tying while others were helping half the kids practice casting, roll casting and teaching kids about fly fishing.

The following is Rick Hall's Facebook post for Wednesday:

This is our second year teaching a two week fishing summer enrichment course for AACPS STEM students. Having the awesome guys from PPTU come out and teach our students about tying flies and using fly rods has been one of the highlights both years! Looking forward to the trip to the Patuxent Refuge tomorrow! Thanks!

On Thursday, July 25th, we met up at the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge at Lake Redington to fish. The students caught several types of bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass and 1 small pike.  While they used both spin fishing gear and fly casting gear, plenty of fish were caught on both.

The following is Rick Hall's Facebook post for Thursday:

What an incredible day at the Patuxent River Refuge Reservoir! We caught more fish than I have ever seen in one day. I lost count. Thanks to the amazing crew from PPTU for making this possible! Your knowledge, patience and willingness to go the extra mile really made the difference today. This is an experience these kids will never forget. I know we just made several future fishermen and women. Thanks again!

Special thanks to my volunteers Sean Beck, Bob Dietz, John Lee, George Opryszako, Peter Schuler, Bob O'Donnell, and Jay Sheppard.  I've posted the pictures below.

Alan Burrows