SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 73
Local Fly Fishers Support Experiential Learning at KSA and Brock Secondary

The Kamloops Fly Fishers Association is sharing their love of fly fishing and the importance of environmental stewardship with students and staff at Kamloops School of the Arts (KSA) and Brocklehurst Secondary School (Brock).

The Kamloops Fly Fishers Association (KFFA) is a local non-profit organization committed to promoting the sport of fly fishing in the Kamloops area. Since 1972, KFFA have been helping the local community practice fly fishing with events and activities, including fish outs at local lakes, fly tying and fly casting sessions, rod building workshops, and other community events. KFFA, along with the Sport Fishing in the Fly TV Series, have donated various fly fishing equipment and supplies (such as fly boxes, hooks, wool, threads, tying stations, and more) to help instill a love of fly-fishing in school-aged students, with the goal that they will carry the passion forward in their adult lives

KSA and Brock both offer Fly Fishing Board/Authority Authorized Courses to Grade 10-12 students. These courses offer students unique experiential learning opportunities as they learn the science and art of the sport while also gaining valuable life skills.

Science teacher David Coleman, who teaches Fly Fishing at Brock, shared that the course teaches students "critical thinking and patience." He has noticed students who may find it hard to focus in other science classes, are more "level and focused" as they tie flies and learn about fly fishing.

Students from KSA and Brock will both participate in KFFA programs and activities, including educational YouTube videos and possible fly fishing field trips. Mr. Coleman shared "We can now have more experiences of going to different lakes. Some of my students have fished but some of them have not, and getting them out to experience the wilderness is what I'm looking forward to."

KSA teacher Simone Stella, who teaches Outdoor Education 10 and Fly Fishing 11/12, describes the fly fishing courses as a place where "kids can come in and just be themselves - it is very low stress and low impact, yet high benefit in terms of self confidence. They get into a zen mode when they are in here, they come in here and just tie flies. When I see the smiles on their faces, and see how they can struggle but then accomplish patterns and when they're done they walk out proud of themselves, that's the best thing to me"

For students, Fly Fishing class offers a balance of science and art in an environment where they can unwind and focus. Grade 12 KSA student Amelia shared, "This was a course that I could just come and forget about all my academic workload and all the stress of being in high school. This was the first time I ever came in contact with [fly fishing]... it's a mashup of art and science, and those are my two favourite subjects so when I can combine that and do something with my hands and create, while also learning the science behind all the bugs and fish, that was my favourite part."

The Kamloops-Thompson School District's mission, as outlined in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, is to support learning opportunities and environments which inspire students to thrive. By offering unique experiential learning opportunities such as fly fishing, students get the opportunity to explore a new activity that may turn into a lifelong passion, while learning about science and art in a new way and developing important life skills.

When talking about the lifelong benefits of fly fishing, KFFA President and BC Federation of Fly Fishers Director, Leonard Piggin shared, "It's relaxing, it's soothing, and it teaches you patience."