Families looking to try fly fishing without buying a rod can get a free, hands-on introduction Sept. 12, when City Place debuts its inaugural School of Fly at the development's 150-acre Nature Preserve in Spring.

Instructors from the Orvis store on Six Pines Drive in The Woodlands will lead one-hour fly-casting clinics and fly-tying workshops throughout the day, with all equipment provided at no cost. The clinics are open to all experience levels, and participants will have chances to win premium Orvis fly-fishing gear.

Andrew Giammalva, vice president of Coventry Development Corporation of Houston, said the Orvis partnership lets City Place introduce guests to a new skill while showcasing the preserve's outdoor setting. He called it "a setting that's unlike anywhere else in the Houston region" in a statement announcing the event.

Advance registration is required for the instructional clinics due to limited capacity. Visitors who don't register can still attend to watch expert demonstrations, meet Orvis instructors and enjoy nature-inspired children's activities throughout the day.

The Nature Preserve connects directly to the Spring Creek Greenway trail system, which the Bayou Land Conservancy calls the longest connected urban forested corridor in the nation. The greenway is planned to stretch more than 40 miles from Tomball to Kingwood, covering over 12,000 acres. The 15-mile Spring Creek Nature Trail along the corridor draws more than 70,000 visitors annually.

The Woodlands Orvis store already offers free Fly Fishing 101 classes at its Market Street location, covering casting, rigging and fly selection with all gear provided. The School of Fly event takes that instructional model outdoors and onto the water's edge.

Check-in takes place at City Place Plaza, 1250 Lake Plaza Drive in Spring. The Nature Preserve entrance is at 24000 Holzwarth Road. Registration and a full schedule are available at cityplacenow.com.

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