Fly-fishing is part sport and part artistry. And it's a skill that is being handed down to another generation of anglers through programs at two local schools.

Don Orlowski, a science teacher at Freeport Junior High School, has been teaching students the art of fly-tying for more than 20 years. As adviser of the school's fly-tying club, he meets with about a dozen students, both boys and girls, during the weekly club period, and also invites students to hone their skills once a week at after-school sessions.

At Seneca Valley Intermediate High School, physical education teacher Barry Murray heads a new program that introduces fly-fishing into the physical education curriculum. He is also adviser for the school's new fly-fishing club.

Fly-tying is the art of replicating a natural bait to attract such fish as trout or bass. Flies are usually lightweight and attempt to reproduce a natural food such as an insect, spider or beetle.

A variety of natural materials is used, such as feathers and fur, as well as artificial materials like colored threads and tiny beads. The end result is a fly that anglers hope will entice that trophy fish to bite.

"The whole idea is to generate interest and have the kids look at a different hobby," said Orlowski, adding that fly-tying is something students can work on during the winter months or anytime they have some free time.

"I like fly-fishing a lot," said Matt Faiella, 12, of Freeport. "I've tried fly-tying but I wasn't really successful," he said, adding he has learned a lot from the Freeport club.

Most of the Freeport students agreed tying is both relaxing and a challenge. "It's relaxing and it's fun," said Zachary Mailki, 13, of Freeport. Faiella agrees, and adds, "until the thread breaks. Then it gets frustrating."

"Fly-fishing is an endless learning experience. Fly fishermen study entomology. There is a crossover

in

to science, ecology, biology," said Murray. He teaches a one-week session for all ninth and tenth graders in the school.

The program was funded entirely with $8,500 in grant money and equipment from two organizations that promote fishing education, Murray said.

The Future Fisherman Foundation awarded a grant of $5,000, while the school received $3,500 of equipment from Family Tyes of Baldwin.

"We did not use any of the school's money for the program," Murray said. "We did not buy a hook or line or anything from our physical education budget. We got enough equipment for everything. We should be able to stabilize the program for many years in the future."

Orlowski said the Family Tyes organization also assisted the Freeport school by providing enough kits for each student in club. Prior to that donation, students were working with minimal, and sometimes improvised, equipment, according to Orlowski.

Seneca Valley's curriculum program teaches students the basics of fly-fishing, Murray noted. The focus is on casting, knots, equipment and stream etiquette. "It gives them the basics," he said. "If they like it, they can pursue it from there. The kids in the club, they take it to another level."

Several of the fly-tiers in Freeport's club have decided to hone their skill during after-school sessions. Orlowski said he teaches simple patterns during in-school hours, and allows students to work on more complicated flies after school.

"They learn the fundamentals, and then they start creating patterns and things that have never been seen before," he said. "And a lot of those creations are the things that work. The fun of tying is to create things that are unique."

Once the students have put the time and effort into tying a fly, then comes the reward. Although Freeport students do not have the opportunity to fish together as a club, Orlowski said his students do put their creations to good use along the local streams.

Carrie Durst, 12, of Sarver, admits she "likes fishing even though I don't get to go a lot." She said she hopes to have the chance to try some of the flies she has created. But both Josh Fink, 12, of Slate Lick and Jim Dudek, 13, of Sarver said they have already caught fish using flies tied in school.

"The kids will come back and bring the flies that worked for them," Orlowski said. "That first time you have a fish taking a fly that you tied, it's an experience."

"Our goal at the 9-10 building is to teach lifetime activities," Murray added. "Everything we are doing is teaching these kids something they can do later in life. I think it's well worth it, because the return is good."