On Monday, July 31st, Learn 2 Fish With Us held Fish Camp at Creekside Elementary, for Sun Prairie’s YMCA. Fish Camp lasted the entire day, where over one hundred youth were introduced to the great sport of fishing. Like many Learn 2 Fish With Us events, Learn 2 Fish With Us traveled nearly one hundred miles to host this event. Fish Camp sessions were designed to make sure each group of youth received the needed training to begin fishing. Captain Greg works with each organization to host the most productive education for the time and age of the youth.
Fish Camps first session of the day was for youth that were between the ages of five and six years old. Youth were split up into four groups where they attended four fishing stations. First station, youth learned how to cast and for many this was the first time they had a fishing combo in their little hands. The next station, youth learned about the different bait used while fishing. Youth really enjoyed touching the bait, which included; nightcrawlers, leeches, thunder bugs and hellgrammites. Station three, youth picked a fish from our fish identification banners and drew it. The final station, youth selected which of Bob Allen’s stories they wanted read to them. They had the choice of ‘Walter the Wily Walleye’ or ‘Battle of the Bass Largemouth vs. Smallmouth’.
Fish Camps second session was hosted for youth between the ages of 7 and 8 and the third session was hosted for youth ages 9 to 13. In the second and third session youth first attended our Fishing Basics seminar where they learned the skills and equipment needed to begin fishing. After the seminar youth attended three hands on educational stations. The first station youth learned how to cast safely and accurately. The next station youth tied a Clinch and Palomar knot. Final station, youth learned how to identify the different fish along with learning the different bait we use to fish.
Each youth attending Fish Camp received a NPAA Future Pro shirt and fishing education book thanks to our sponsors.
