Segment 3, June 8th, 2024

Alen Baker is a voice that many will recognize on the Carolina Outdoors.  He’s an avid fly fisher, tyer, & conservationist.  He founded the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians, & is a 2019 inductee in its Hall of Fame.  He joins host Bill Bartee to chat about his new project:  the Cap Wiese Fly Fishing Center

Baker has been doing satellite exhibits over the years & that inspired going to the Patterson School Foundation & expanding usage of the facilities outside of Lenoir, NC.

Show Highlights:

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• Cap Wiese was the headmaster of the Patterson School & a legend in NC fly fishing lore
  
• Wiese’s favorite waters were Wilson Creek & in later years, Cherokee.  He helped start Trout Unlimited in North Carolina
  
• The CWFC will bring adult education in fly fishing & is started with Project Healing Waters
  
• The first project is improving the impoundment pond at the Patterson School (where Cap first taught fly fishing)
  
• Kayaks and Canoes are able to be used on the pond
  
• Overnight stays & outings will be a part of the projects as it is the “perfect location.”
  
• Fly Fishing, Tying, Rod Building, & the outings will all be a part of the CWFC & the Patterson School Foundation
  
• You can participate by joining the FLY TYERS GUILD & going to the Patterson School Foundation
  

Things You’ll Learn by Listening:

Baker has authored seven books and continues to write.  His works include, Rocky River TU: The First Twenty-Five Years (2006), his award-winning book, Our Fly Fishing Heritage: The Making of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians (2016), and My Fly Fishing Playbook (2019).

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