Most mayflies have two tails, but how do you tell the difference between a two tailed mayfly and a stonefly?  You probably didn’t learn this in high school, but students in Prineville’s Cook County High School did last week.  During the week of November 1 – 5, members of the Deschutes Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU)  and members of Central Oregon Flyfishers (COF) participated in an angler education program in Prineville for Middle School students of Tawnya Layne and high school students of Brian Wachs.  Tawnya teaches a semester long science class entitled “Stream Team ” where the students use Ochoco Creek as their laboratory.  Brian’s students are taking a semester long course on Fisheries and Wildlife.

The week started off with basic education in angling:  setting up a rod, tying knots, casting.  Lee Ann Ross found a great website which includes super clear graphics on knot tying, in case you want to brush up the location is: http://www.proknot.com/html/fishing_knots.html.  We started the kids off with casting yarn line practice rods, great for getting the right motion down. Tuesday was led by John Anderson covering entomology for the high school students.  In the classroom they learned the difference between mayfly and stonefly nymphs, as well as how to identify several other important taxonomic groups of insects and other aquatic critters (like scuds, aquatic sow bugs, and leeches).  John brought specimens that were displayed in vials and dishes that students were able to view with microscopes and hand lenses.  Herb and Ted helped point out key features of different insects as students prepared sketches and written descriptions of what they were observing.

At the Ochoco Creek site, the Crooked River Watershed Council recently partnered with Ochoco Lumber Company to retore the 3/8 mile section of Ochoco Creek that runs through the old mill site property.  Brian Wach’s students provided volunteer labor to assist with the plantings at the site.  The riparian area  is really looking good and the plantings are becoming established.  There is lots of scope for more of this type of work along the creek.

Many thanks to all who made the weeklong event a success:  Ted Brownrigg, Lee Ann Ross, John Anderson, Mike Tripp, Gary Meyer, Bill Myer, Joe Checketts, and Delores Marsh.  Also, thanks to all who supplied equipment: Fly and Field of Bend,  Orvis, TU and COF.

Here’s what the Crook County Middle School kids had to say about the program:

It was the most fun I’ve had in four years.”  Levi Hensley

“It was fun because we got to fish and meet new people.”  Chandler Mendenhall

”It was fun because I’ve never fly fished before.”  Robbi Timmer

“I had a lot of fun.  Casting and being still and quiet was relaxing.”  Austin Zurcher

“It was fun because I got to go under the bridge with Audrey and our lines got caught together and we caught a fish.  I guess two really is better than one!”  Hannah Bennett

“It’s better than sitting in a classroom.”  Dustin Seyl

“It was a blast because the thrill of catching a fish and learning the new knots.”  Audrey Bernard

“It was interesting because we got to go outside and get active.  My dad’s proud of me.”  Jon Grace

“I caught a fish!”  Jeremy Haas