July 6, 2005
Walk About reels in support
Botanical Garden Walk-About offers fly fishing basics
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Attendees at Saturday's Walk-About learned the ABCs of fly casting, thanks to Dave Leonhard and the Botanical Garden Society of Northwest Michigan.
A nationally renowned sportsman, educator and writer, Leonhard owns Orvis Streamside and took four attendees through the basics of fly casting. His step-by-step lesson was the Society's monthly Walk-About program for July.
Held the first Saturday of every month, Walk-Abouts feature a different nature topic as well as a walk around the Society's 81-acre site. The organization has an option to purchase this property, which is situated near the intersection of Hammond and Three Mile Roads.
"We try to have a different program each month to generate interest and bring different people in with different interests," said Carol Silverman, a member of the society's board. "We've been doing programs for two summers here."
Leonhard compared and contrasted fly fishing to other kinds of fishing and described why people love the sport beyond merely catching fish: learning entomology, tying flies, promoting conservation and traveling to exotic locales to catch fish.
Noting that fly casting does not require strength or force, he worked with each person on the fundamental stance and grip. They then practiced false casts to get the feel of the rod and how the line followed the tip of the rod.
"If you can pick it up and put it down properly, you can catch fish," he said of the line.
Leonhard also discussed the loops made as the long line swoops back and forth over the head of the caster. He later introduced the basics of shooting the line.
"Focus on the tip of the rod and watch where it's stopping," he told his class. "Where I stop the rod and the line goes by it, it forms a loop; there are all different shapes of loops but a tight loop is aerodynamic."
Brenda Lewis of Lake Ann had never tried fly casting before but decided the sport was doable after Leonhard's lesson.
"It was easy, definitely not hard, you just have to get the timing right," she said.
The fly casting lesson was held at the edge of one of two ponds on the Botanical Garden Society of Northwest Michigan's land. In addition to the ponds, the property features a creek, 49 acres of open uplands and flatlands as well as 30 acres of wetlands. This variety of terrain supports a range of plant life and animal habitat, both of which have been surveyed by area experts at the society's request.
"It's a natural arboretum," Silverman said. "We have a wonderful assortment of trees -- oaks, maples, hemlocks, pines, evergreens, spruces, willows, aspen and birch."
"The property itself is absolutely glorious," she added.
The Botanical Garden Society of Northwest Michigan began in 2000 at the behest of area residents enthused about bringing a year-round educational garden for all ages that would also facilitate environmental preservation and research.
With an option on their current site secured in 2002, the organization is using events such as the monthly Walk-Abouts to promote a botanical garden in the community. They also welcome new members and are in the beginning stages of fundraising to purchase the garden's future home.
"Everybody you talk to seems very supportive and excited about the idea," Silverman noted. "A botanical garden is an important cultural development for this area - it's not just a park or a garden, but an educational institution."
Future Walk-Abouts will be held each month through November on the first Saturday of the month, beginning at 10 a.m. Walk-Abouts are free and open to the public. For more information about the Botanical Garden Society of Northwest Michigan or the walks, call 935-4077 or visit www.northwestmichigangarden.org.