When Susan Wonnell and her 14-year-old son Clay cast their first fly-fishing lines Saturday morning, the yarn flies landed in the browning grass several feet from the Little Miami River.

        That's where 50 people learned to cast lines, select equipment, evaluate the water and tie flies at a fly-fishing workshop in Loveland's Nisbet Park. The workshop, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., was sponsored by Little Miami Inc. and the Buckeye United Fly Fishers of Cincinnati.

Kate Jones, 13, of Indian Hill tries fly fishing at Nisbet Park. (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

        “Fly fishing is a combination of all these things, but you don't have to be an expert to catch a fish,” said Lou Haynes, Buckeye United Fly Fishers educational director.

        At each station, novice anglers spent roughly an hour working with experienced fly fishers, learning how to cast the line about 30 to 40 feet from the 8-foot pole and ease it back near shore.

        “The secret to fly fishing is the timing,” said Dave Uckotter, Buckeye United Fly Fishers president.

        “It doesn't take much strength. It takes finesse and timing.”

        Before the lines go out, participants learned how to make their own flies, which can take up to 30 minutes.

        “The fly making was fun because most of the time people think you just take a hook and it's done. But really, you have to tie it together,” said Ben Daniel, 10, of Lebanon.

        A $10 registration fee covered supplies and lunch.

        Many participants were first-timers who came with their families, but some people, like Kate Jones, had fly-fished before.

        “We spend a lot of time in Montana and that's one of the main things to do,” the 13-year-old from Indian Hill said. “But I've learned a lot more than I knew before.”

        Part of the workshop was spent collecting water samples from the Little Miami and evaluating what lives there. This helps anglers decide what type of flies to use.

        The Little Miami is one of more than 50 spots in the Tristate that fly-fishers use regularly, but fly fishing can be done in just about any body of water, Mr. Uckotter said. Those getting started in the sport should expect to invest about $250 for basic equipment, he said.

Defenders rally around officer
Department manual sets suspension policy
Analysis: Looks like the honeymoon's over
Where smoke escapes the detectors
Boycott leaders: Pack hearing
Canoe trip shows creek conditions
Obituary: Rev. Mel Dibble, was pastor, TV personality
Professor taking swing at saving national pastime
So kids, grab a pole and let's tie one on
The Kid and a bunch of kids
Tristate A.M. Report
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Clueless
SMITH AMOS: Taking the Fifth
Board to revisit kids' clothes
Kids step into adult roles
Monroe board goes north to create policy
Visionary sculpting art dream
Boy, 11, charged with raping girl, 5
Father will not be tried again in baby's death
Lucas stands by term promise
Todd supports lesbian health issues session
Volunteers step in, clean trashed lake