Apple Creek at Grosjean Park in Wooster has been stocked with rainbow and brown trout since 2005. Beginning in 2012, the October stocking has been coupled with a two-day, free “Learn to Fly Fish” clinic for novice and beginner anglers.
Prior to the clinics, the stream is stocked with large brown trout and rainbow trout. The cost of purchasing trout is from grants provided by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, funds from the City of Wooster, and by the CFRTU chapter.
This year, Clear Fork River TU will offer a “Learn to Fly Fish” clinic in October, 2025. It will consist of two sessions, first, from 6-9pm on Thursday October 9 at the Freedlander Chalet in Wooster. This will be followed by a session of “on-stream” experiences on Apple Creek from 9am to 3pm, on Saturday, Oct 11. The class will be open to those with no experience in fly fishing, and those with limited experience who wish to “brush up” on their skills. We encourage family members to participate. Those 16 years and older must possess a valid Ohio fishing license. All fishing is Catch & Release to help sustain the fishery.
The Thursday evening session will start outside where students will use fly rods, provided by the chapter, to learn two basic casts, the overhead cast and the roll cast. Casting will be done first on the lawn, then students will shift to a pond to practice casting on water, and perhaps catch a fish. Students will then move to the adjacent Freedlander Chalet for two hours of classroom instruction. Background will be given on fly fishing as a sport and types of fish that are targeted, along with basic knowledge of typical fly fishing equipment, fly lines and leaders, and types of flies used. Students also will learn to tie two basic knots that are used to attach leaders and flies.
Enrollment in the class will be done by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, ODNR, and will be begin sometime in September. If you, or someone you know, might have interest in this class, please let us know by clicking on the “About” tab and then “Contact Us”. There will be no charge for the class, but enrollment will be limited to the first 20 people who sign up. Attendance at both sessions will be required.
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