Greg Karch, a Learn 2 Fish With Us Angler Educator was awarded the State Of Wisconsin Invader Crusader Award.  Cathy Steep the Secretary of the State presented Greg with the award on June 5th.  The program had this, ‘Greg’s passion is angler education, with a strong focus on youth.  He incorporates Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!  curriculum into the many seminars and clinics that he teaches.  This past year, he volunteered over 400 hours in angler education and held his 100th fishing clinic.  His ‘Fishing Basics’ seminar has reached 10,000 anglers, most of them youth.  Learning how to prevent the spread of invasives is just as important as learning casting skills and lure selection, and Greg is sure to install this belief in all of his seminar participants.  From his nominator:  “While he himself has reached many youth and parents, the network that he has trained, supports, and continues to support is his biggest contribution.  His reach is being felt not just in Wisconsin and the region, but the national professional fishing community”.

On Saturday, June 21st Rich and Greg held a fishing clinic at Plymouth Church in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  The morning started out with a photo montage that showed fishing clinics from the past.  The at 10:10 AM Scott the pastor asked the crowded if they had seen Rich or Greg?  They said ‘NO’!! Then a video kicked-off see attached video link. After the video, Rich came running up to the stage where he was holding the walleye.  After a brief discussion we presented Greg Karch to the stage where he presented his ‘Fishing Basics’ seminar.  After the seminar a group picture was taken.  The youth and parents then went to each of the educational stations which were made up of casting, knots, lure making, bait and the Triton Boats.  The kids got to go in the Triton Fishunter 186 and 216 with Mercury motors and see all the equipment they use while fishing.  After the seminar the families ate lunch which was provided by Subway and then it was time to take them fishing at Menomonee Park.  All but one youth caught a fish, which ranged from bluegills, bass and sheephead.  The smiles in the pictures show that a fun time was had by all!!!

On the afternoon of June 7th which was ‘Free Fishing Weekend’ in Wisconsin, Greg Karch hosted his 100th fishing clinic. The clinic was held at High Cliff State Park in Sherwood, Wisconsin.  The clinic started with Greg holding his ‘Fishing Basics’ seminar.  Thanks to the many volunteers, most of the youth were able to work with the educators to do knots or check out the bait and more.  After the seminar, they all went fishing and thanks to The Reek Shot for providing the bait for the fishing.  After the fishing they all came back where awesome prizes were awarded to the youth and parents.  Parents had a chance at Navionics charts, Plano tackle boxes, Frabill net and more.  Each youth went of with something from Shakespeare fishing combo, NPAA Future shirts, tackle boxes, hats and fishing gear.  Learn 2 Fish With Us would like to thank all their sponsors for everything they provide for these clinic.

Here’s some pictures from yesterdays fishing clinics for the Cub Scouts of the Kaukauna area. We started out with my Fishing Basics seminar and were hoping to fish but the weather would not let up. It allowed us to do more hands on training with the cub scouts. All the kids had a big smile due to all my great sponsors product they received!!! Thanks Berkley Fishing, Shakespeare, Plano, Frabill, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Off Shore Tackle Company, TTI Blakemore Fishing Group, The Boat Doc, Navionics, Maui Jim, Northland Fishing Tackle, National Professional Anglers Association and The Reel Shot.

This morning I was at Rawhide Boys Ranch where I did 90 minutes of fishing education and then we went to the Wolf River and fished from shore. The youth used some of the newly learned skills to catch these whitebass!!! check out all the smiles as they had a blast. Tomorrow I will be at the Lil Anger event in Kaukauna and may be on Fox 11 at 7:45 AM. Have a great weekend!!!

Angler Educator Greg Karch from Learn 2 Fish With Us edcuated youth and families at Fishing In The Gym which was held at New Holstein High School in Wisconsin. Greg presented his Fishing Basics seminar which reviews; safety, open and closed fishing combo’s, casting, fishing presentations, knots, bait, fishing identification, AIS message of Clean Drian and Dry, conservation and more. After Greg’s smeinar he worked with kids in casting. Greg even coverted a couple kids from a closed fishing combo to an open spinning combo!!! Greg also recieved his 13 pound walleye from Lucas Taxidermy!!! Pictures to come!!!

Greg Karch from Learn 2 Fish With Us educated youth on fishing at the Kids Hooked On Fishing event which was held at the Fond du Lac Aquatics center. Besides fishing education there was a casting contest and minnow races which was really cool!!!

This past Friday Learn 2 Fish With hosted a Fishing Clinic at Westside Elementary. Greg and his crew (Jim and Ryan) helped educate the third graders on fishing and the environment through Greg’s Fishing Basics seminar. There was many hands on education with the kids. At the end seminar all the kids received a NPAA Future Pro shirt and a Shakespeare casting plug. The sharpie’s were ready as the kids wanted us to sign their shirts. Learn 2 Fish With Us then donated a entire series of Fish On Kids Books to Westside Elementary.

Brooklyn Center, MN – Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! (SAH!) is pleased to announce Greg Karch as the March Partner in Action.

As a professional tournament angler, Greg is the director of the organization “Learn 2 Fish with Us”. He has been working for the last 10 years to educate thousands of anglers, young and old, about fish and fishing. In 2008, Greg created his own seminar called, “Fishing Basics” which covers topics from safety, fishing presentations, casting and fish identification to how anglers can stop the spread of invasives with the SAH! Clean, Drain, Dry method.

Through his efforts he has educated over ten thousand anglers about aquatic invasive species (AIS) and how the SAH! Campaign can help protect lakes and rivers. Last year Greg held 23 fishing clinics and volunteered over 400 hours with his organization, National Professional Angler Association and the Future Angler Foundation. In June he will teach his 100th fishing clinic.

“Greg is proof that one angler can make a difference in growing the sport and protecting it for future generations,” said Pat Conzemius, Conservation Director of Wildlife Forever.

Professional anglers can make a huge impact on the actions of current and future anglers. Greg makes the conservation connection with every event teaching youth how to Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!

“Thank you for this honor. I am truly dedicated to growing the sport of fishing along with protecting the great resources we have”, said Karch. To learn more please go to, www.Learn2FishWithUs.com.

About Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!:
SAH! is the internationally recognized public service campaign for the prevention of invasive species. Thousands of agencies, organizations, and groups have signed on to support partnership’s efforts to raise awareness through consistent marketing, messaging and outreach.

About Wildlife Forever:
Wildlife Forever’s mission is to conserve America’s wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and management of fish and wildlife. As the nonprofit conservation arm of the North American Hunting Club and North American Fishing Club, Wildlife Forever represents the conservation interests of 1 million members. Wildlife Forever is the operational lead for the national Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Campaign and also works to engage America’s youth through the State-Fish Art Program. Visit www.WildlifeForever.org for more information.