Well, not really. Free opportunities are more like it.

First off, this weekend is Free Fishing Days statewide. That is to say you don’t need a fishing license from June 3-5. You’ll still have to pay for your bait, tackle, drinks, ice, park admission, boat ramp fees, gas and oil, etc. No one gets away totally free.

The no license required weekend, which is the official kickoff of the summer fishing season, applies to rod and reel fishing in both fresh and saltwater with the exception of designated trout streams. There are no designated trout waters in the Rural Virginian distribution area but all nearby stocked trout waters, such as Sugar Hollow Reservoir and its tributaries, Mint Springs Lake and the trout streams in the Albemarle County section of the Shenandoah National Park are on the list. So are the streams in Nelson County that come down from the Blue Ridge near Wintergreen, such as the Tye River and the South Rockfish River. The Pedlar River and all versions of the Piney River in Amherst County are off limits, as well. The section of the Hardware River in Fluvanna and Holliday Creek in Buckingham are delayed harvest trout streams and the release-only restriction is lifted on June 1 so you can fish those streams but it’s unclear as to whether a State Forest permit is required for Holliday Creek, which lies within the borders of the Appomattox/Buckingham State Forest.

I can’t imagine a better opportunity than free fly fishing lessons and they are available this summer from Orvis at the state of the art retail store in Short Pump Town Center. There are two classes, the basic Fly Fishing 101, and the sequel, Fly Fishing 201. In the first class you’ll learn the basics of knot tying, assembling a fly fishing rod and reel and casting. In 201 you’ll expand on the knowledge learned in 101. Students in the first course will receive a free certificate for membership in Trout Unlimited and a free membership in the Trout Federation, a combined value of $70. Fly Fishing 201 also includes a short trip to local waters for some hands on practice. Presumably, a fishing license is required for this phase of the course. Both classes are approximately three hours long.

The first round of Fly Fishing 101 was offered in the end of May. The second round of classes begins on June 11 and runs through June 19. The third series runs from July 2-10. Fly Fishing 201 will be offered from June 4-June 26 and again on July 16 and 17.

Reservations are required and each class is limited to 15 people. Students 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, and to register, call the Richmond Orvis Store at (804) 253-9000. Short Pump Town Center is at 11800 West Broad St. in the far west end of Richmond, just across the Goochland/Henrico border, less than an hour away from Zion Crossroads and right off Interstate 64. Take exit 175 and go south to Broad Street (US 250). Go east about a mile and it’s on the left. Scottsville area residents can take Route 6 east all the way to the new Route 288 and go north to I-64 east. Although the fly fishing course is free don’t go without your wallet. There’s Macy’s, Crate and Barrel, Abercrombie and Fitch, Brookstone…and my favorite, The Cheesecake Factory. Yum!