To the editor:

Many of you may not know there is a vibrant fly fishing community in Washington state, Kitsap County and here on Bainbridge Island. The Bainbridge Island Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited Kitsap-Olympic Peninsulas have been partnering for the past six years to host a Youth Fly Fishing Expo in May at Battle Point Park on Bainbridge Island. The groups also provide conservation and restoration work on local streams that support salmon and sea-run cutthroat populations in Puget Sound.

Each spring the Youth Fly Fishing Expo provides introductory lessons in fly casting, fly tying and fish/stream biology along with fishing in Battle Point Pond for young people 6-17 years of age.

This year’s auction will be held on Saturday, April 21, at Grace Church, 8595 NE Day Road East. Doors open at 5:30 and the live auction starts at 6:30 p.m. There will be great food provided by Wiley’s Food Truck of Bremerton. The public is invited. There will be hand-tied flies, fly rods and reels, guided trips, fly fishing gear, tying equipment, art, and much, much more!

For more information, or to donate, contact Eric Matthews at 206-718-2254.

This contribution to our community is made possible by the generous donations of local businesses and individuals of goods and services as well as individual donations by our fly fishing community and the public.

Whether you are a seasoned fly fisher or just starting out, join us for a fun evening with our entertaining auctioneers, Ed Samuelson and Ted Teather.

ERIC E. MATTHEWS

Vice President

Bainbridge Island Fly Fishers