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Activities/Crafts --
PLAY (Pennsylvania League of Angling Youth) Newsletters --
Coloring Pages --
Videos/Links
Activities/Crafts
Fly Fishing Word Search
Find the fly fishing-related words in this word search.
Knotes on Knots (en Espanol)
How to tie fishing knots such as blood knot, improved clinch knot and more.
Life of a Trout
Activity - Cut out, paste and learn about PA’s trout, their habitat and their lifecycle.
Coloring Pages
PLAY Newsletters
You can find additional activities and crafts on the last page of every PLAY (Pennsylvania League of Angling Youth) newsletter!
“Fishing is Reel Fun” booklet
This 18-page activity booklet is full of fishing and boating information to help anglers and boaters of all ability levels enjoy safe, fun, and year-round outdoor adventures in Pennsylvania. Enjoy!
"My Adventures" write-your-own story booklet
With this 12-page activity booklet you can write-your-own adventure about a trip on or near a PA waterway (e.g. stream, river, pond, lake). You can also share something you learn, share how you would teach someone else about what you learned, and share a memory that you will keep with you as you grow. Begin your story today!
PLAY: Trout by Fly
PLAY issue containing the following articles-
Trout by Fly; Cracking the Code; Types of Flies; Where Trout Live; Casting Class; and Fly Fishing Word Search.
PLAY: The Lure of PA’s Silver Shadows
PLAY issue containing the following articles –
Silver Shadows; Profiling Erie’s “Silver Bullet”; Stream Manners; Equipment used to target Steelhead; Catching Lake Erie Steelhead; Fighting and Releasing Steelhead; Steelhead Alley (word search).
PLAY: Trout Training
PLAY issue containing the following articles –
Trout Training; Finding Trout waters; Know Your Tr-“outfit”; Casting Practice; Trout Training-Rig It Right (cut and match game); Trout Tactics – On the Fly; Trout Tactics – Without a Spin.
Videos
PLAYLISTS
The following link is a playlist that will take you through all of PFBC’s videos related to fly fishing OR you can go through them individually by clicking links below.
PFBC Virtual Family Fishing Program
If you have always wanted to attend a PFBC Family Fishing Program (FFP) but have not yet had the opportunity to do so, the agency's Education staff have developed a Virtual FFP (VFFP) just for you!
Whether new to fishing, returning to fishing, or introducing someone to the sport of fishing, these videos- and the (in-person) Family Fishing Program, itself- will get you started in the right direction. Our virtual FFP videos provide a variety of educational "stations" that introduce you to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the FFP program, Casting, Knot-Tying, All About Fish, How to be a SMART Angler, How to Rig and Bait a Rod for Fishing, and the Rules and Regulations you need to know before you go fishing. Each virtual "station" is also broken into short video clips and provided to you in a series-format on our YouTube channel and our Facebook page, so that you can watch only the videos that you wish, and in the order that you wish.
PFBC’s in-person Family Fishing Programs are for families with little or no fishing experience. Participants learn basic fishing skills and practice those skills while fishing during the program. The program is open to all ages, including children ages 5 and older. The program is free, and all equipment and bait is provided. NOTE: the fishing license requirement is waived during the program for participants age 16 and older.
We look forward to helping you begin this exciting new journey and hope to see you on the water soon!
“All About Fish” Station - VFFP 2020
Welcome to “All About Fish”, brought to you by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. In this video we introduce you to SW Region Education Specialist, Mandy Smith, who provides the complete "All About Fish” station of PFBC’s Virtual Family Fishing Program. You will learn "What Makes a Fish a Fish", "Identifying Characteristics of a Fish", and about "Fish Habitats and Local Fishing Opportunities in PA". The more you learn about the fish that you are trying to catch, the better angler you’ll become! Shorter, individual clips are available on both platforms for those who do not have time to watch the full-length version.
Knots “Station”- VFFP 2020
Welcome to the Knots “Station”, brought to you by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission! In this video, Northeast Region Outreach and Education Coordinator, Walt Dietz, provides the knot-tying station of our Virtual Family Fishing Program. This video provides an introduction to knots, parts of a hook, and how to tie an improved clinch knot.
Basic Fly-Tying Equipment
In this video, PFBC Fishing Skills Instructor, George Daniel, introduces you to basic fly-tying equipment (e.g. fly tying vise, bobbin, scissors, hackle pliers, whip finisher etc.).
Basic Fly-Tying: The Olive France Fly
In this short video, one of PA Fish and Boat Commission’s many Fishing Skills Instructors, Tracey McAfoos, shares a favorite fly pattern she fishes with. The fly is the “Olive France Fly”. This fly is a great pattern because it imitates mayfly nymphs and works year-round!
Caddis are Hatching
Caddis flies are aquatic insects found in nearly all of PA’s waters. Some caddis species are at home in small mountain streams, while others prefer the depths of our large rivers and lakes.
First Steelhead on a Fly Excitement
Fourteen second video clip that captures the pure excitement of catching a Steelhead for the first time!
Fishing Opportunities – PA Fish and Boat Commission
This video introduces viewers to the fishing opportunities available in PA.
Fly Fishing Equipment Basics – Fly Line
In this video, PFBC Fishing Skills Instructor, Jodie Minor, introduces you to the fly line. She covers fly lines, how to “decode” the code on fly line boxes, types of fly lines, and how to connect it to your reel.
Fly Fishing Equipment Basics – Fly Reel
In this video, Jodie Minor, PFBC Fishing Skills Instructor and member of Penns Woods West Trout Unlimited , introduces you to the fly reel. This video covers the parts of the reel, the drag system, the fly line, how the reel works and different types of reels.
Fly Fishing Equipment Basics – Fly Rod
In this video, PFBC Fishing Skills Instructor, Jodie Minor, introduces you to the fly rod. She covers the parts of the fly rod, what type of fly rod you have, how rods are categorized, how to get started in PA, and how to connect your rod and reel.
Fly Fishing Equipment Basics – Leaders & Tippets
In this video, PFBC Fishing Skills Instructor, Jodie Minor, introduces you to leaders and tippets. She covers leaders and tippet, how to decode a leader package, the difference between leader and tippet, and how to attach your leader to your fly line.
Fly Fishing Program Participant Learning How to Cast
A participant at one of PFBC’s Fly Fishing Programs is having a fun time learning how to cast. Does this look like something you’d like to try?
How to Tie a “Sexy Walt’s Worm”
Tracey McAfoos shares a favorite fly pattern she fishes with. The fly is the “Sexy Walt’s Worm”. This fly is a great pattern because it’s an easy tie. It doesn’t really “match the hatch”, but is flashy enough to equal success on the water year-round!
How to Tie a "Walt’s Worm"
Tracey McAfoos shares why and how she got involved in fly fishing, as well as one of her favorite fly patterns she fishes with. The fly is the “Walt’s Worm”. This fly is a great pattern because it imitates everything, but nothing specific at the same time, and works year-round!
Intro to Fly Tying- “First Fly”
In this video, George Daniel introduces viewers to a basic, but effective “First Fly” called the “Green Weenie.”
Joe Humphrey’s Surprise Visit to PFBC Program
On Sunday, April 10, 2016, legendary fly fisherman Joe Humphreys paid a surprise visit to the PFBC's Women's Intro to Fly Fishing program. For about 45 minutes, Mr. Humphreys gave the 28 participants and 9 instructor volunteers tips on casting. This video (turn up the volume) shows how to retrieve a fly line from a tree.
Mayfly “Social Distancing”
Mayflies are important food items for many fish, especially trout. There are more than 700 kinds of mayflies in North America.
PFBC Fly Fishing Participant Testimonial
This video introduces viewers to a testimonial provided by a participant at PFBC’s “Women’s Intro to Fly Fishing Program.”
Rain, Bugs, Rising Trout, & Laughter
Moments along the banks of Spring Creek, Centre County, that 14 ladies and their 6 instructors will never forget!
Regulations Station- VFFP 2020
In this video, SE Region Outreach & Education Coordinator, Andrew Desko, provides the “Regulations” portion of our Virtual Family Fishing Program. This video provides a brief explanation of the types of regulations around fishing, and how and where to find the fishing regulations.
Steelhead Program Testimonials
In this video, three participants share their thoughts on the PFBC's Women's Intro to Steelhead Fishing Program.
Women’s Intro to Fly Fishing Program
Enjoy this testimonial from Veronica Terrill, of Bellefonte, Pa, as she shares with us how she has become “hooked” on fly fishing!