Join Phill Hollinger, Darke County Parks’ fly fishing expert, on Saturday, June 18th at 1pm at the Shawnee Prairie Preserve Nature Center to learn the basics of fly fishing. Participants will discuss technique, flies (where and when to use them), where to fly fish locally, and more. After covering the basics, students will look into other supplies one may need, or desire, to make this sport their own. Phill has been fly fishing since 2002 when a friend got him “hooked”. Since then, he has fly fished in Colorado, Tennessee, Michigan, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Alaska, and Ohio. One of Phill’s favorite aspects of the sport is the scenery. Space is very limited due to supplies, so sign up soon! A $5 fee for materials will be charged for this program, and preregistration is required.  

For questions about this program or any other program offered by the Darke County Parks or to register for Fly Fishing Basics, please stop by the nature center, or call (937) 548-0165.

Photo Caption:  Casting an almost weightless lure requires a vastly different technique than casting a traditional bobber and hook style lure.  

Darke County Parks would like to send a huge thank you to all of their volunteers. Whether they regularly help with school groups, maintenance, animal care, historical interpretation, special events, habitat healing, or anything in between, the park district board and staff truly appreciate all their hard work and dedication! The staff hopes all the volunteers have enjoyed the past year at the park and will continue to volunteer with for many more years to come!

To show all this appreciation, Darke County Parks invites all volunteers, those who help weekly and those who only help every once in a while, to join them for a Volunteer Ice Cream Social and Bingo on July 15th at 5pm. These frozen treats will have all sorts of toppings available, and there will be some great bingo prizes waiting to be won. Come spend time with all those who value the park district’s mission and enjoy a reward for everything accomplished. Please RSVP with Volunteer Coordinator, Kathi McQueen by calling (937) 548-0165 or emailing kmcqueen@darkecountyparks.org.