We were thrilled to host our largest school fishing clinic yet at Bethany Lutheran Elementary in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, with 196 enthusiastic students attending across two sessions.
The day was divided into two groups: the first session welcomed students from Kindergarten through 3rd grade, and the second session included students from 4th through 8th grade. Each session kicked off with an educational segment covering essential topics like fishing safety, using a spin cast and spinning fishing combo, fishing presentations, live and artificial bait, and the importance of preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.
After the lessons, students were divided into small groups and rotated through hands-on stations. They learned how to cast safely and accurately, how to tie fishing knots, and for the older group, they even participated in fish identification. Meanwhile, the younger students enjoyed a special reading of “Walter the Willy Walleye.”
To cap off the event, every student proudly received a Future Pro shirt, which sparked plenty of excitement—so much so that even a few teachers were eager to get one! We were incredibly impressed by the enthusiasm and engagement from both students and staff, making this a standout event that we’ll remember for years to come.
