The 2025 fly camp was held June 21 – 28 at Panhandle Lake 4H Camp near Shelton, Washington. During the Academy, young anglers get the valuable opportunity to learn from our numerous and knowledgeable volunteers the basics of fly fishing, both on lakes and rivers, entomology, fly tying, fisheries conservation, fishing ethics, and water safety. All topics were met with great enthusiasm by the students, especially the fishing and fly tying!
In addition to knowledge, the Academy provides campers with a new fly rod and reel kit, sling pack full of necessary items to fish successfully, and hand-tied flies donated by one of our local fly clubs. Panhandle Lake is a gorgeous private lake on approximately 500 acres. Plenty of kayaks and canoes are available for the kids’ use. There is also a sports court and campfire pit, so the campers never run out of something to do. All under the supervision of four Ghillies, a Camp Leader and the Directors.
We have the students write thank-you to the donors and volunteers. Here are a few excerpts, reflective of the positive attitude of the notes:
“Thank you so much for your contributions to this camp. You made it possible for me to make so many amazing memories. I will use the knowledge that I learned here for the rest of my life.”
“I thank you so much! You all have made me into a better person. I’ll take your lessons with me in life and pass it on to younger generations.”
“It was my first time fly fishing and now I am confident in my ability to cast, tie flies and tie on my flies. This camp will last forever in our memories. We all really learned a ton!”
“Thank you for helping me get this education. This was impossible without you. I loved learning to fish and this is an unforgettable experience.”
As a Club, WFFC should be very proud of our contribution of time and money to this amazing endeavor! Just from our club alone, Peter Shuitemaker, Chuck Ballard, Richard Plunkett, Neal Hoffberg, John Gravendyk, Jerry Kindinger, Jim Goedhart and Marcie Kindinger all volunteered at camp. If you know of anyone interested in sending their 12-16 year-old boy or girl to camp next year, have them fill out an application, found at nwycffa.com, early next year.
