United Fly Tiers of Rhode Island is an education-based organization dedicated to
promoting the art, and fun, of tying flies.  We have offered programs for children since 2001.  We have a regular tying program at which the juniors meet on the first Friday of each month, October through March, at the Aspray Boathouse in Pawtuxet Village. 

We also have a tying and fishing program, at which the juniors spend a Saturday in April tying and learning to fly fish at Addieville East Game farm in Mapleville RI. This year’s Addieville Program will take place on April 18th, 2009.  (See program on website for details. 

This year we would like to invite the kids to their own fly tying symposium, their fourth.   This one-day event will take place at the Aspray Boathouse on Saturday, March 28th, from 10 AM to 2 PM.  There is no charge for kids.  We would like to invite both Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts, and any other interested children of that age to attend.  Some of their merit badge requirements can be met that day, and continued on April 18th on our trip to Addieville.

At the symposium, kids will get a chance to see what our junior members have been up to lately.  They’ll also be able to watch some of the finest tiers in New England doing their magic at their vices, and even tie a few simple flies with the masters.  They’ll be able to learn a little entomology as it applies to fishing.  All of this education is geared toward helping the kids to gain a healthy respect for our precious natural resources here in RI.

Some of the flies they will see tied will be for fresh water fishing, salt-water fishing, and even flies that are made simply for their artistic appeal.  (You don’t have to fish to enjoy fly tying.) There will be some nice door prizes offered at no charge.  New this year, a fly tying contest just for kids, with some nice prizes.

Juniors who would like to attend should bring with them a copy of the attached admission blank.  This admission blank is their ticket for the door prizes.  Since their name and address are on the blank, they need not be present at the end of the symposium to win door prizes.  However, they must bring the application themselves. Snacks will be available at no charge.  Please phone to give us some idea how many to buy snacks for, 401-539-7286.  Kids, and their leaders, can come and go as they please.

The admission blank, and directions, for the symposium, and the day at Addieville, will be posted on our website for everyone’s convenience.  Application

Directions to Aspray Boathouse