A Ten-Dollar Fly Fishing Class for Kids Starts at the Maryville Greenway This Month
Blount County Parks & Rec has teamed up with the Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited to run a fly fishing class for kids, and the first session is coming up on Saturday, September 26.
It's a bargain by any standard: $10 per class, 9:00 a.m. to noon, on the greenway right next to the Blount County Courthouse in Maryville. The instructors bring the fly rods, so there's no gear to buy before you find out whether your kid even likes it.
The schedule for the rest of the year is September 26, October 17, November 14, and December 12. It's a pay-per-class arrangement, so you can drop in for one or go to all four. In the middle of a season where it feels like every kid activity has a registration fee and a waiting list, a $10 drop-in class on a Saturday morning is refreshing.
The class isn't just casting practice. The instructors from the Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited cover line management and casting technique for the Smoky Mountains area — the same waters your family would fish on a weekend outing. The chapter has been chartered since 1992 by anglers from Blount, Sevier, and Loudon counties, and they've made teaching kids part of their mission.
A couple of practical notes for parents: - The class is held outdoors on the greenway by the courthouse, so plan for the weather. - At three hours, it's a good fit for middle-grade kids who can keep their attention on an instructor; younger ones might want a parent close by. - You can pay per class without committing to the whole series, which makes the first one an easy low-risk try.
If your kid is curious about fishing but you're not ready to invest in gear, this is the cheapest way to test the water. You can find the full class listing and sign up details on the Blount County Parks & Rec youth programs page at parksrec.com.