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Class of 2009 Northwest Youth Conservation
& Fly-fishing Academy
2016 NORTHWEST YOUTH CONSERVATION & FLY FISHING ACADEMY
Applications are now being accepted from youths, ages 12 to 16, for the annual Northwest Youth Conservation and Fly Fishing Academy. The Academy is located on Hicks Lake at the Gwinwood Conference Center in Lacey, Washington and will be held during the last full week of June. Its purpose is to educate youth about the importance of conservation and natural resource stewardship. The Academy is sponsored by the Trout Unlimited Chapters of Washington and the Washington State Federation of Fly Fishers. It is hosted by the Olympia Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the South Sound Fly Fishers and Puget Sound Fly Fishers.
The Academy is co-educational and is limited to 24 youths. Youths having an interest in the outdoors, conservation, and fly fishing, are encouraged to apply. Acceptance to the Academy is based upon a written essay indicating an applicant's desire to attend and what she/he hopes to learn from it. Candidates need not be experienced anglers. A limited number of scholarships are available through Trout Unlimited chapters. Applicants desiring scholarship information are encouraged to contact a chapter president within their locale.
The Academy's curriculum is designed to provide students with a background in fundamental science and includes classes on ecology, hydrology, aquatic entomology, invasive species, watersheds, wildlife enforcement, and trout behavior. Each day also includes instruction for developing or improving the students' fly fishing skills including fly casting, fly tying, fly selection, streamside ethics and etiquette, knot tying, reading water, and water safety. Faculty and staff include wildlife resource professionals, noted northwest fly fishing and fly tying professionals and enthusiasts and Trout Unlimited volunteers.
Applications are accepted from January 1 to April 15. Cost, including meals and lodging, is $300. Fly fishing rods, reels, and fly tying equipment will be made available.
For more information, visit the website. For application or further information, send an e-mail to: nwycffa@comcast.net
Contacts: Mike Clancy (360) 753-1259 or (253) 278-0061
Jim Brosio (360) 943-9947
Tom Van Gelder (253) 261-6129.
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