Feb 25

Learn 2 Fish With Us Kicks Off Spring With A Fishing Clinic At American Marine

On Sunday, February 23rd, Learn 2 Fish With Us Angler Educators Mark Moran & Greg Karch attended American Marine & Motorsports sports show which was held in Shawano, WI.  This kicked off Learn 2 Fish With Us open water seminars which include Fishing Basics and Advanced Fishing Basics.  Captain Greg said “Spring Is Here”!!

Youth and parents learned about safety while fishing, different fishing combos, how to cast safely and accurately, how to tie a Palomar and Clinch knot, live and artificial bait, fish identification, part of a fish and so much more!!  To end the seminar Captain Greg talked about Aquatic Invasive Species and how they can prevent the spread of them!!

Each youth went home with a NPAA Future Pro shirt and a Mercury Marine head band.

Feb 18

Wakefield Residents Learn 2 Ice Fish

On Saturday, February 15th, Learn 2 Fish With Us Angler Educators Greg & Karen Karch attended the Wakefield Fire Department Ice Fishing Tournament and educated youth and adults to ice fishing.  Attendee’s learned about safety while ice fishing which included; what is safe ice, dressing warm, ice picks and cleats, along with having rope if you or some else falls in.  Next, they learned the different ice fishing combos Captain Greg uses and why.  Greg then reviewed the different ice fishing jigs and lures he uses when fishing and for what fish.  Youth and adults all gasped when Greg showed them the different colors and types of jigs he used!!  They asked, “why so many different colors and sizes?”  Greg answered, ‘you never know what the fish will want and that I haven accumulated many over the forty years of ice fishing.  Next, they learned about the different bait used while ice fishing along with how to hook the bait.  Greg reviewed how to use a tip-up and some tips when using a tip-up.   So many more skills were learned; such as fish identification, how to tie a Clinch and Palomar Knot, using a flasher and Aquatic Invasive Species.  After the seminar the youth and adults had a chance to spend time with Karen & Captain Greg on the ice in the Clam X600 hub.  They ice fished while using flashers and cameras.   Captain Greg said, ‘It is so important to get our fishing clinic attendee’s out on the ice to see how to use the equipment and skills just learned during the seminar.”  Learn 2 Fish With Us held seminars at 10 AM and 1 PM and were on the ice all day.  Thanks to National Professional Angers Association each youth went home with a NPAA Future Pro shirts and thanks to Shakespeare some youth went home with a Shakespeare ice fishing combo. 

Jan 18

Youth Go Youth Learn to Ice Fish

On Friday, January 17th, Learn 2 Fish With Us Angler Educator Greg Karch held an Ice Fishing Clinic for the youth from Youth Go.   Attendees of the Ice Fishing Clinic learned about the skills and equipment needed to begin ice fishing.  Captain Greg started out by instructing them on safety as safety need to be the number one priority when ice fishing.  He covered wearing warm clothing, what is safe ice, wearing a life jacket outside clothing and the safety equipment he uses such as: ice picks, rope, ice cleats and so much more.  Next, youth learned about ice fishing equipment which included different ice fishing combos and when to use them along with reviewing tip-ups and tip-downs.  Greg reviewed vertical and horizontal jigs and when it is best to use each.  Greg brought his tackle box which includes everything he uses when ice fishing which included; jigs, plastics, spoons, jigging rapala’s and showed them how to use each of them.  Youth learned about the different baits used while ice fishing along with how to hook the bait.   Greg brought in spikes, wax worms and different minnows which included rosie reds, shiners and fat heads of different sizes.  Youth then tested their skills by placing a minnow on a hook and making sure it would be alive and swimming.  Captain Greg reviewed what he does on a typical day of ice fishing.  Youth then viewed videos that showed them how a flasher works, how to work the water column and of course how fun it is when fish are biting.  Youth learned and tied a Palomar and Clinch knot.  The fishing clinic ended with the youth learning how to identify fish, Aquatic Invasive Species and leave to trace which means to clean up the area you are fishing.  Each youth went home with a NPAA Future Pro shirt and a Shakespeare ice fishing combo along with Northland Tackle ice fishing jigs.  The youth enjoy the afternoon learning how to ice fish and look forward to having the opportunity to get on the ice!!

Jan 17

Thrivent Volunteers Say Merry Christmas Learn 2 Fish With Us

On Thursday, December 19th, Thrivent Mutual Fund Accounting hosted their Christmas Party.  Every year Thrivent starts out their Christmas party by volunteering and selected Learn 2 Fish With Us as their organization to volunteer.    Captain Greg retired from the MFA area at Thrivent this past year.  Greg lead the volunteer opportunities which included rigging fishing combos with a bobber, sinker and hook, along with placing Learn 2 Fish With Us stickers on their fishing educational books.  The Learn 2 Fish With Us sticker helps with branding and contact information!!  Two hundred and twenty fishing combos were rigged along with two thousand Learn 2 Fish With Us stickers applied.  Captain Greg would like to thank all the Thrivent employees that helped out and enjoyed their company.  Merry Christmas!!
 

Dec 11

Ice Fishing Holiday Gift Ideas for All Skill Levels

Give a man (or woman or child) a fish. Feed ‘em for a day. Teach someone how to fish and you feed them for a lifetime. Provide the best fishing Christmas gifts for all those on your list, and your loved ones will be set up for a wonderful ice fishing season. Recommended by Learn 2 Fish With Us President and Executive Director Greg Karch, these top five best ice fishing gift ideas will support your loved ones unwavering dedication to the sport and encourage those who are just getting started.  

Ice Fishing Boot
There’s nothing worse than having wet feet for a full fishing day, especially in the frigidly dangerous winter temperatures. Give the gift of warm dry feet this year and your friends and family will thank you. President and Executive Director, Greg Karch highly recommends the Clams Sub-Zero X ice fishing boot.

“This past year I started using Clams Sub-Zero X ice fishing boot and found it warm and easy to get off besides being all rubber. Make sure to also have good ice cleats to not slip and hurt yourself,” said Greg.

Ice Fishing Suit

As the colder months continue—and we all wish for spring—you’re going to want to secure a good quality warm ice fishing suit for all those on your list who are planning on facing the frosty weather. Remind them to dress warmly and wear a life jacket outside of their clothing to stay safe. 

Curved Blade Augers

This practical gift is an essential tool for any angler who wants to slice through the ice efficiently and quickly. Captain Greg suggests getting curved blades so that they will cut through old holes as well as creating new ones. Another safety tip for ice fishers, be aware of ice thickness when choosing a spot. New clear ice should be about 4-inches thick.

Underwater camera

Give the gift of capturing action-packed footage with an underwater camera. The fishermen and fisherwomen of your life will be able to gain better insights with their fishing by being able to see fish up close and personal.

Fishing Flasher

Hugely popular with ice anglers is a sonar unit that shows objects in the water column. The biggest advantage to having a flasher when ice fishing is allowing you to see beneath the ice and know how deep you’re fishing. They will also give insights on what kinds of fish are present.

Take the guessing out of your 2019 ice fishing gift list with Greg’s top ice fishing selections. If you have any questions on ice fishing and/or ice fishing supplies don’t hesitate to email: CaptainGreg@Learn2FishWithUs.com.

Dec 11

Menasha High School Fishing Team Learn Tips & Tricks From Captain Greg

On Tuesday, December 10th, Learn 2 Fish With Us Angler Educator Captain Greg Karch worked with the Menasha High School Fishing Team to educate them on the equipment and skills needed to ice fish in the WIFA Ice Fishing circuit for High School Fishing Teams.  Captain Greg reviewed safety while ice fishing which include warm clothing, warm boots, ice cleats and carrying rope should someone fall in.  Next they reviewed the different ice fishing combos and Captain Greg discussed that he prefers straight line reels so the line has no twist allowing me to see lite bites.  In Wisconsin, we can ice fish with three lines so he reviewed the use of tip-ups and tip-downs to compliment their fishing.  Captain Greg, opened his tackle box to show Northland’s and Rapala’s jigs and spoons he uses along with colors he likes to use.  Next Greg reviewed using flashers and cameras while ice fishing and when he uses each of them.  Captain Greg reviewed how he uses maps to do research on a lake that he has never fished along with reviewing the depths.  Greg’s fishing logs included where, when, what he was using and fish caught.  Captain Greg reviewed the different artificial and live bait he uses and tips when using them.  Most students attempted to put a medium fathead on a hook and make sure it would swim around.  Greg explained that if the minnow is not lively when on the hook it most likely will not be bite by a fish.
The Menasha High School Fishing Team asked many different questions through out the seminar to better understand why he uses the equipment he does along with the techniques.
 
At the end of the seminar, the students learned their team would receive Berkley Tip-ups, Abu Garcia and Shakespeare Ice Fishing Combos, Garmin and Triton Boat hat thanks to Learn 2 Fish With Us and Captain Greg’s sponsors!!!
 

Dec 08

Youth At Boys & Girls Club Of Oshkosh Learn 2 Ice Fish

On Wednesday, December 4th, Learn 2 Fish With Us Angler Educator Greg Karch held an Ice Fishing Clinic for the youth of the Oshkosh Boys & Girls Club.   During the Ice Fishing Clinic youth learned about the skills and equipment needed to begin ice fishing which included learning about safety while ice fishing which included; warm cloths, wearing a life jacket outside clothing, ice picks, rope, ice cleats, hooks and more.  Next, youth learned about ice fishing equipment which included different ice fishing combos, jigs, plastics, lures, tip ups, along with learning how to use them.  Youth learned about the different baits used while ice fishing along with how to hook the bait.  Captain Greg reviewed what he does on a typical day when ice fishing.  Greg, then showed videos of him ice fishing, so they would know how to jig while ice fishing along with seeing how fun sight fishing can be.  The fishing clinic ended with the youth learning how to identify fish, Aquatic Invasive Species and leave to trace which means to clean up the area you are fishing.  Each youth went home with a NPAA Future Pro shirt and a Shakespeare ice fishing combo along with Northland Tackle ice fishing jigs.  After the fishing clinic many of the youth went on to the Learn 2 Fish With Us website and checked out the other fishing videos and they really enjoyed them.    The youth said they really look forward to getting out ice fishing!!

 

 

Oct 24

Learn 2 Fish With Us Host Ice Fishing Clinic For Scouts

On Monday, October 21st, Learn 2 Fish With Us Angler Educator and NPAA Member Greg Karch #121 held an Ice Fishing Clinic for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of Green Bay which was held at Langlade Elementary.   During the Ice Fishing Clinic scouts learned about the skills and equipment needed to begin ice fishing.  The evening started out with scouts learning about safety while ice fishing which included; warm cloths, wearing a life jacket outside clothing, ice picks, rope, ice cleats, hooks and more.  Next, scouts learned about ice fishing equipment which included different ice fishing combos, jigs, plastics, lures, tip ups, along with learning how to use them.  Scouts learned about the different baits used while ice fishing along with how to hook the bait.  Captain Greg reviewed what he does on a typical day when ice fishing.  Greg, then showed videos of him ice fishing, so they would know how to jig while ice fishing along with seeing how fun sight fishing can be.  The fishing clinic ended with the scouts learning how to identify fish, Aquatic Invasive Species and leave to trace which means to clean up the area you are fishing.  Each youth went home with a NPAA Future Pro shirt and ice fishing prize such as Shakespeare ice fishing combo, bait, tip-up or ice spikes.  The adults attending the ice fishing clinic said they learned  a lot and planned on putting the knowledge to use this ice fishing season.so much!!

 

 

Sep 19

Why We Love Our Volunteers: YOU Make it Possible!

We wanted to send out a HUGE thank you to all our volunteers and sponsors for everything they have done to contribute to this year’s success. At our 2019 fishing clinics, Learn 2 Fish With Us worked with a record-setting 6,000 youth and nearly 4,000 adults. We could not have done it without the time and energy our volunteers invested into teaching kids how to fish! Your dedication and commitment to share your passion for fishing have not gone unnoticed.  

Whether you have helped with setup or registration, managed the sales of merchandise, assisted with fishing stations, taught casting instruction or donated money or equipment, we truly could NOT have done it without you. Because of you, kids and families now have a skill for life they can all share and cherish. It’s amazing how many people a small nonprofit can impact. Our success was exhibited this year by attending, teaching, hosting and educating youth and their families through 32 fishing clinics. Learn 2 Fish With Us covered a broad range of areas from elementary and high schools, sports shows, educational events, festivals, outdoor events, cub and girl scouts and so many more.  
 
We cannot wait to see what the 2020 fishing season will bring. Together we can continue to grow the sport of fishing by educating and inspiring beginner and experienced anglers. All of us at Learn 2 Fish cannot say it enough: thank you to all our volunteers and supporters from the bottom of our hearts. We truly appreciate all that you do. Thank you!  

Stay tuned for opportunities to volunteer next year. We look forward to having a great team of volunteers to make our 2020 events even more successful!  


Sep 10

Harbor Fest Attendee’s learn 2 fish

On Sunday, September 8th, Learn 2 Fish With Us and our volunteers attended Harbor Fest which was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the School Of Freshwater Science.  Learn 2 Fish With Us had a Fishing educational booth which educated over three hundred youth and nearly as many adults on the skills and equipment needed to fish.  Skills learned in the booth were casting, fish identification, safety while fishing, how to tie knots and the different baits we use while fishing.   Adults asked many questions such as; where do I buy an fishing license, best spots to fish, best bait to use and presentations.  A family that attended sent me a text that said “The grand kids had the best time at your booth.  Thank you so much.  The kids were so excited to tell their parents about FISHING and the live bait.  They were so excited about the shirts you gave them they put them on and my granddaughter can’t wait to use her Shakespeare fishing combo.  Youth received; Shakespeare casting plugs, NPAA Future Pro Shirts and fishing combos.  Thanks to the Learn 2 Fish With Us and Harbor Fest volunteers for all your help!!