ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, January 29, 1996 TAG: 9601290068
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
3 - Going to school on fly-fishing
Ever since the movie ``A River Runs Through It,'' newcomers have been flocking to fly fishing. If you've wanted to follow the trend, the New River Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited is offering an ideal opportunity. The chapter, with a membership that includes fishing guides and angling authors, is offering an ``Introduction to Fly Fishing'' seminar Saturday.
``The class is geared toward trout angling and will cover the basic techniques needed to steer the beginner in the right direction,'' said Doug Hudgins, president of the chapter.
To register, call Hudgins, 540-951-9360, or Miller Williams, 540-544-7792. The 9 a.m.-to-4 p.m. seminar will be held at the Jamerson Athletic Center at Virginia Tech, where there will be room for hands-on casting lessons. The $75 cost includes lunch. The class will be limited to 20 participants, so you'd better hurry because they tend to fill quickly.
4- Some falls good for hikers
When members of the Roanoke Chapter of the Appalachian Trail Club mention falls, they aren't talking about slipping on icy spots along the trail. They mean waterfall walks.
The club has a couple such treks scheduled for February. One on Sunday will take hikers to Apple Orchard Falls, another, on Feb.11, is a trip to Stiles Falls.
Many people envision waterfall walks as a summer affair, when cool water and mist cascade from rock ledges, inviting you to soak your feet. In reality, falls are most impressive during periods of high volume runoff, which is what you most likely will find in February.
The Apple Orchard Falls hike starts at Sunset Field. The gathering hour is 1 p.m., and the distance is three miles of hiking that is rated easy. The leaders - participants need to call one of them for the meeting place - are Sue Scanlin, 989-0497, and Terri McClure, 375-2650. The Stiles Falls hike is 1 p.m., Feb.11. It is four miles and rated easy. The leaders are Linda Akers, 384-6429, and Marge Griffith, 774-0693.
10 - Winter raptor count is for fun
Every autumn, members of the Roanoke Valley Bird Club assume positions on mountain peaks and passes to count raptors, which include the hawks and eagles of the bird world. It is serious business. But in February, the raptor count takes on more of a festive air. It is operated as a contest, with watchers getting points for raptors spotted. The event is set for Feb.10.
Last year, the count-contest was won by Barry Kinzie, Bill Opengari, Peggy Spiegel and Kent Summers, big names in the local birding world, who amassed a record 575 points. This group of raptorians is known as AARP (All American Raptor Patrol).
Jim Ayers is the birder trusted with the count's tally. The club welcomes participants. The more people involved, the merrier. Ayers' phone number is 345-5791.
20 -Boating course is smart move
If you are a boater, here's good advice: ``Boat Smart and Know Before You Go.'' That is the theme of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' boating course. The free instruction is taught monthly February through November at the Safety Council of Southwest Virginia office on Colonial Avenue. You can register for the February class, held 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Feb.20 and 21, by calling 344-4676.
The winter months are an excellent time for classroom work. The benefits go beyond just learning the rules of the road and other facts. Boaters who complete the course receive a discount on their marine insurance premiums. They also qualify for a complimentary one-year membership to BOAT/U.S., the largest recreation boating organization in the country. To receive that, send a copy of a course-completion certificate with your name, address and daytime phone number to BOAT/U.S., Member Services, 880 S. Pickett Street, Alexandria 22304.
24 - Elk banquet filling up fast
The annual banquet of the Blue Ridge Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has a history of being a sellout. It will be no different this time, Feb.24, at the Holiday Inn-Tanglewood.
``We will be sold out in a couple of weeks,'' said Wayne Gould, chairman of the event.
This year's program will feature Mike Logan, a wildlife photographer-cowboy poet-teacher from Montana. While the banquet provides an evening of fun, prizes and auctions, it has a serious side. That is to raise money for elk habitat, something the Blue Ridge Chapter has set records doing.
Tickets are $50 - $75 for couples - and include a membership in the foundation. Information is available from John Rokisky, 772-1414. Better hurry!
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