Learn from the masters at 'Fly Fishing North Carolina'  
Lefty Kreh, Bob Clouser, Bob Popovics  
headline Museum special event  
 
(RALEIGH)-What's the best way to catch that elusive brown trout, largemouth bass, or false albacore? Whether you're an expert, a beginner, or somewhere in between, you can sharpen your knowledge and skills at Fly Fishing North Carolina, a free, family-friendly event at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, April 27, 2002, from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.  
 
The event offers a rare opportunity to learn from three of the sport's most esteemed masters, Lefty Kreh, Bob Clouser, and Bob Popovics, who will demonstrate fly casting and fly tying techniques. In addition to the masters, more than 40 fly tyers from around the state will demonstrate their art, tying trout, bass, and saltwater flies. Children can try their hands at casting and tying. Displays highlight coastal, Piedmont, and mountain waters.  
 
Visitors also can take their challenging questions to Buzz "Ask the Professor" Bryson, columnist for Fly Rod & Reel magazine, and examine all types of tackle. Learn about stewardship of aquatic ecosystems; fish form, functions and habitats; and the art and science of good fishing.  
 
Fly Fishing North Carolina is generously sponsored by Grady-White Boats of Greenville, Golden Corral Corporation, Triangle Fly Fishers/Trout Unlimited, and Friends of the Museum. Special thanks also to Jones Brothers Marine, Great Outdoor Provision Co., and DTS Software. Golden Corral will give away 1,000 free buffet meal passes to children ages 3 to 12 during the event.  
 
"These sponsors have made Fly Fishing North Carolina possible-the first, free event of its kind in North Carolina that combines the art of fly tying and fly fishing with exhibits about aquatic stewardship and fish biology," said Betsy Bennett, Museum director. "We're thrilled that three of the sport's best-known anglers will be here to share their expertise and love of the sport."  
 
 
Kreh, Clouser, and Popovics will demonstrate tying and casting techniques throughout the day. Each master also will offer a 40-minute auditorium program in the Museum's 265-seat WRAL Digital Theater. North Carolina fly fisher Tom Earnhardt will serve as master of ceremonies. Free tickets to the auditorium programs will be distributed at the event.  
 
--11 a.m.: "In the Beginning, Lefty Created the Deceiver"-Lefty Kreh talks about the origins of his famous "Deceiver" pattern, developed more than 30 years ago for striped bass in Chesapeake Bay, and characteristics of all great flies.  
 
-- 1 p.m.: "Fly Tying from a Hardware Store"-Bob Popovics, America's most innovative tyer, demonstrates how to make effective flies from commonly available materials.  
 
-- 3 p.m.: "When is a Fly Not a Fly?"-Bob Clouser, creator of many of the world's most popular fly patterns, talks about "boundaries" for fly tyers.  
 
In the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's Inland Fisheries Mobile Aquarium, get a close look at aquaria filled with crappie, bass, bluegill, and trout. Rick Dove, North Carolina's first riverkeeper, and Frank Tursi, Cape Lookout CoastKeeper, will be on hand to talk with visitors about efforts to safeguard water quality.  
 
See the "Fly Fisher's Dream Fleet," including a sea-going center console deep "V," a 17-foot Mackenzie River drift boat, a flats' boat, and an assortment of kayaks, canoes and float tubes. Participants also may enter free drawings for fishing equipment, and see a collection of antique fishing tackle from the Angler's Club of New York.  
 
Food will be for sale at the event. For more information, please call Museum Special Events Coordinator Bob Flook at 919/733-7450, ext. 503.  
 
Kreh, Popovics, and Clouser also will speak at a ticketed event sponsored by the Friends of the Museum on Friday, April 26. A fly-fishing edition Jones Brothers bateau will be auctioned off. Please call Margaret McCoy at 919/733-7450, ext. 352, for details and to check for ticket availability.  
#  
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh documents and interprets the natural history of the state of North Carolina through exhibits, research, collections, publications, and educational programming. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Visit the Museum on the web at www.naturalsciences.org. The Museum is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary.  
###