Western Washington students cast for credit

BELLINGHAM — Western Washington University has a course that could catch on.

Environmental Sciences 397T, “The Art, Science, and Ethics of Flyfishing.”

The three-credit class requires study in fish and insect identification, environmental ecology and ethics.

And they do have to learn to fish.

“If you’re an informed fly fisherman you have a lot of resources,” said instructor Steve Meyer.

The summer course’s goals attracted solid community support from fishing shops, guides and conservation groups.

The four-week class sends students to the classroom, the laboratory and to local creeks. It concludes with a field trip to British Columbia, where they present their research projects around a campfire.

Though the students have to learn to fish, they don’t have to catch anything, said instructor Leo Bodensteiner.

“It’s not about catching fish,” he said. “Fishing is about getting into the stream and recognizing what’s wrong with the stream and what’s right.”