Explore the spiritual side of fly-fishing April 25-28

Fly-fishing Masters national champion Kevin Howell to teach during annual retreat

Step into a stream and discover the spiritual side of fly-fishing in Western North Carolina this April 25-28 during the fourth annual Kanuga Fly-fishing Retreat.

This Sunday-Thursday event begins with two days of instruction from Kevin Howell, winner of the 2007 Fly-fishing Masters national championship and a certified casting instructor with the Federation of Fly Fishers. After going over the finer points needed for success in the waters of the Blue Ridge Mountains, participants will hone their skills in the nearby Davidson River, one of Trout Unlimited magazine's Top 100 rivers in the nation.

"Anyone who signs up should come out with a good understanding of basic casting, knots and how to select their gear," said Howell, who when not busy in the water shares his expertise as a fly tier with a variety of fishing publications in addition to owning and operating Davidson River Outfitters in Pisgah Forest, N.C. "Everyone in the past has loved it and many said they never knew it could be this easy."

Trish Darlington of Augusta, Ga., did not have a lot of fly-fishing experience when she attended the 2009 retreat but said the opportunity to learn from Howell's years commanding a rod and reel more than made up for that.

"I was beginning fly-fishing and had not had a lot of instruction at the time," Darlington said. "Kevin Howell knows stream fishing in mountain waters really well. In the fly-fishing world, you'd normally pay a lot more for his insights. It's a great bargain, especially for someone who is new to what fly-fishing has to offer."

The Rev. Dave Harris, an experienced fly fisherman who is the senior pastor at Trinity United Methodist in Lima, Ohio , said he thoroughly enjoyed his time in and out of the water last year.

"I was impressed by both the beauty of the surroundings and the sense of peace the retreat offered," he said. "It's a beautiful setting and a variety of helpful information was offered during the workshops."

Retreat coordinator and avid fly fisherman the Rev. Mark Wilson, rector of St. James Episcopal Church in Fairhope, Ala. , said he hopes participants will gain a greater understanding of this popular pastime and its more spiritual aspects during their time at Kanuga.

"Fly-fishing is not so much about catching and releasing fish as just being in the stream, observing, having faith, being humbled," said Wilson, who will also serve as retreat chaplain. "It's a setting where God can teach us a lot about ourselves and following Christ."

A valid North Carolina fishing license is required for the April 25-28 retreat and can be purchased in advance at www.ncwildlife.org.

Affiliated with the Episcopal Church since 1928, Kanuga is a 1,400-acre camp and conference center in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Hendersonville , N.C. For more information, visit www.kanuga.org or call 828-692-9136.