WESTFIELD – The Westfield River Watershed Association (WRWA) and the Western Mass. Fly Fishermen (WMFF) will honor their late president with the free Bill Rose Memorial Fly Fishing clinic Saturday, Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon. The clinic will take place on Route 20 in Huntington, in the turnout on the Westfield River, across from the Huntington Health Center. Children and teens are welcome with the supervision of an adult at this family-friendly event.
“Bill Rose was president of both the WMWA and the WMFF at the time of his death,” Mark Damon, current WRWA president, said. “He loved fly fishing. In his memory, we invite folks to try fly-fishing for the first time — or get expert tips and coaching for the experienced fisherfolk out there.”
People can drop in throughout the morning and watch a fly-tying demonstration and practice casting. The Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife stocks waters around the state. In addition to fly fishing activities, Damon, who is a biologist, will be on hand to net insects from the river and help participants learn to identify them under microscopes. The WMFF will guide folks through tying simple flies that they can use when they go out on their own.
WRWA encourages people who own a fly rod and want to learn more about using it to bring it to the clinic. For those who have never tried fly fishing before, some equipment will be available to use at the clinic.
The clinic will be held rain or shine, barring extremely stormy weather.
The Westfield River Watershed Association was established in 1953 to protect and improve the natural resources of the watershed, as well as to expand recreational and other land use opportunities for people’s enjoyment and for sound ecology. To learn more, visit www.westfieldriver.org.
SUNDERLAND — The Select Board has appointed Leverett Police Officer Jeff Belanger as a full-time officer for Sunderland’s department.
Belanger has eight years of experience and has worked with the Sunderland Police Department in the past, according to Police Chief Erik Demetropoulos.
“I think he’s going to be a great fit,” Demetropoulos said. “I expect him to start by the end of the month.”
Belanger told the Select Board that he is “really looking forward to coming on board here in Sunderland.”
DEERFIELD — Brittany Daigle of Deerfield earned an Award of Excellence at the Western Governors University College of Health Professions in Jersey City, New Jersey. The award is given to students who perform at a superior level in their coursework.