Fly fishing is more than a sport. It’s an art.

But according to local fisherman Donald Corey, with just a couple of casts, a novice can learn the basics – how a rod feels in your hand, and how to cast the line out over the water so a fly skims along the water like the insect it represents.

Saturday, Corey and his fellow members of Penobscot Fly Fishers will offer novice anglers the opportunity to give the sport a try, at their fifth annual Fly Fishing Day.

“I think people have an idea that it’s difficult to fly fish, we want to dispel some of those rumors,” said Corey.

Workshops in water safety, fishing equipment and fly tying will be offered, and wildlife biologist Joan Trial will be on hand to teach a crash course in entomology, complete with live specimens from local ponds.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m., but participants are invited to stop by for a casting lesson from a local fly fisherman at any time during the day. All events will take place at the Veazie Salmon Club. Equipment will be provided and the event is free.

For more information, Corey may be reached Saturday morning at 478-3173.

Chewonki buys Big Eddy

The Chewonki Foundation, a conservation group based in Wiscasset, has purchased Pray’s Big Eddy Campground on the West Branch of the Penobscot River.

However, the popular 80-acre RV and tent camping site and its world-famous trout fishing pond will remain open for the foreseeable future, Chewonki President Don Hudson said.

“The reason it’s there is as a commercial campground, and that’s how its going to stay,” he said.

The site will be used for the foundation’s 90-year-old conservation education programs, and new informal nature education workshops for the public will be created, but traditional visitors will continue to be welcomed, Hudson said.

SAM auction

The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine will offer guns and gear for bid at its annual fundraising auction Sunday, May 5.

L.L. Bean has donated more than $21,000 in merchandise to be auctioned by SAM, including fishing gear, clothing, binoculars, cameras and camping gear.

Nearly 100 guns that were confiscated by Maine law enforcement agencies will also be offered to the highest bidder.

The majority of funds raised by the gun sale will be returned to the agencies. Proceeds from the gear auction will go to SAM’s Conservation Education Fund.

Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville, will serve as guest auctioneer, and has jokingly promised that the auction will feature a much swifter pace than Maine’s Legislature.

The auction will be held at the Augusta Elk’s Lodge. Doors will open at 10 a.m., and bidding will begin one hour later.

Misty Edgecomb is the outdoor writer for the Bangor Daily News. She can be reached at 990-8250 or medgecomb@bangordailynews.net