"Want to learn how to tie a fly?"
That's what the Fly Fishers of Davis ask as crowds pass by their table in the Briggs Hall courtyard every UC Davis Picnic Day.
Briggs Hall is the home of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology and the Fly Fishers are an important part of the department's "bug-related" displays and activities.
The fly fishers sit at long tables, and show onlookers how to tie a fly. They interact with everyone from pre-schoolers to seniors. Sometimes they'll ask "What color do you want?"
"The audience reaction is always great, ranging from the 'just curious' to 'yes I’d like to try' to experienced fly fishers that haven’t tied a fly before," commented longtime member Paul Berliner, who serves as the webmaster of Fly Fishers of Davis. "And we always explain the entomology of what we’re doing."
It's non-stop crowds from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Berliner said.
"Fly Fishers of Davis (FFD) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization with 100+ members from communities in the central Sacramento valley," according to its website. "Our charter is to promote the art of fly-fishing and to protect our natural resources and fisheries through community education and conservation. Our meetings and membership are open to the public, and we provide equal opportunity membership without any discrimination."
"Our club is an exciting, educational and rewarding fly-fishing experience for friends of all ages. Activities include:
- Fly fishing outings throughout California. For insurance purposes, you must be a club member to participate. Visit our Outings page for details.
- Fly Fishing 101, Fly Fishing 201, and Fly-tying classes. Please visit our FFD 101/202 page and our Fly Tying page for upcoming class details.
- Fly casting clinics with certified masters. Visit our Fly Casting page for details.
- Monthly fly-casting tips with our own certified fly-casting masters.
- Conservation projects on local waters.
See more information on its website at https://flyfishersofdavis.org/
When is the next UC Davis Picnic Day? Drum roll...the 113th annual is scheduled Saturday, April 17, 2027.
Cover image: A mayfly lands on an artichoke blossom in a Vacaville garden.