OUTDOOR BRIEFS

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

Women-only fly-fishing class set for May 17

The Nevada Department of Wildlife, in cooperation with the Boulder City Parks and Recreation Department, will be having a women's-only introduction to fly-fishing class in honor in Boulder City on May 17. There will be a $5 fee, and the class will be split into two sessions.

The classroom session will run from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and the casting session from noon-2 p.m. All equipment will be provided free of charge. For information on the classroom location, registration, and fees contact Boulder City Parks and Recreation at 293-9256.

PLENTY OF INFORMATION

Help for seasoned and new anglers available

Nevada anglers -- including those new to the sport as well as seasoned veterans -- have a number of readily available, free publications with up-to-date information on just about everything they need to know to enjoy fishing in the state.

The most recent publication from Nevada Department of Wildlife, "How to Fish in Nevada," serves new anglers and those interested in expanding their fishing adventures. The full-color, 54-page publication contains detailed information on catching 13 popular fish species in the state, from brook trout to white bass. Information on each species was provided by a Nevada fishing expert.

The vision of the state's Fisheries Division in compiling the book was not to make expert anglers, but rather to provide useful, easy-to-understand information that would enable any person to learn enough to catch fish. The book has been highly successful. So much so, in fact, it requires constant restocking at all office locations where it's available.

Another popular series is the department's three fishable waters maps, each of which covers approximately one third of the state. The maps identify exact locations of approximately 200 streams, lakes, reservoirs and ponds, along with the various fish species found at each. In total, the map series will lead anglers to 600 streams and nearly 100 lakes, reservoirs and ponds. All are perennial waters with public access and a population of catchable-sized fish. The maps are free and available at all NDOW offices throughout the state.

The third publication, perhaps not as well known as the first two, is NDOW's series of annually updated "Angler Information Guides." A total of 79 waters are included in the publication, providing the reader with information on the history of the water, fish stocking, special boating and fishing regulations and a biologist's forecast for the year. The guides also offer location information with a map, as well as any health concerns or advisories that may exist for a particular body of water. Anglers can also find detailed information on each body of water, including acreage, maximum depth, common fish species, average size of fish, good lures and bait, recent fishing success figures and a "best time to fish" rating.

Although printed copies of the publication are currently not available to the general public, the entire book is available online on the NDOW Web site beginning each March.

FREE FISHING DAY

Minden fourth-grader wins poster contest

Imagine a sunset over a small fishing hole, dad and daughter walking home along a country road after spending the day together catching fish. Fourth-grader Kiersten Boyd of Piñon Hills Elementary in Minden vividly captured this image with her winning entry in Nevada's Sixth Annual Free Fishing Day Poster Contest sponsored by the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Fourth and fifth graders from around the state put crayons, markers and colored pencils to paper to vie for the honor of being the artist of the 2008 Free Fishing Day Poster. NDOW judges had a difficult time choosing a winner from the 164 entries, which all depicted their unique vision of this year's theme, "Take Me Fishing."

Free Fishing Day takes place on June 14 this year and Boyd's artwork is the feature of the poster promoting this statewide event. She also receives a framed copy of her artwork and a fishing rod and reel. She and her family will also be treated to a guided fishing trip on a lake or river in Northern Nevada this summer.

Runners-up in the contest were Kaitlyn Marie Loghry, a fifth-grader from Roger Corbett Elementary in Reno and Carly Johnson, a fourth-grader also from Piñon Hills Elementary. Both will receive a fishing rod and reel for their efforts. Boyd, Loghry and Johnson's artwork will also be featured on next year's back cover of NDOW's Fishing Regulations publication.