Jun 15

Captain Greg Introduces Future Anglers to Fishing At YMCA Fish Camp

Oshkosh YMCA wanted to introduce a Fish Camp to the YMCA programs, so they contacted Captain Greg of Learn 2 Fish With Us.  Captain Greg and Taylor worked together to build the Fish Camp program, which would happen weekly.  The first session, would be educational based and would include Captain Greg presenting his Fishing Basics seminar which taught campers the skills and equipment needed to begin fishing.  After the seminar, campers then attended hands on educational stations which taught them how to tie knots, cast safely and accurately and put bait on a hook.  The following sessions of Fish Camp will be to visit and fish different locations throughout the Fox Valley area.  How fun does that sound.  

Today, June 14th was the first day of Fish Camp and did the campers have a blast learning about fishing!!  After the seminar campers learned that they would receive a fully rigged fishing combo, Future Pro shirt and Fishing educational book thanks to the Future Angler Foundation, National Professional Anglers Association and Learn 2 Fishing With Us.

YMCA instructors utilized today’s session to build the framework, so they could do the fishing education at future Fish Camps

Jun 15

Here Is A Great Read On Learn 2 Fish With Us And Our Captain Greg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Greater Milwaukee Boys & Girls Club youth enjoying their Future Angler Foundation goodies which were a spincast fishing combo and NPAA Future Pro shirt and Shakespeare fishing educational book.

Earning Sainthood in Angling

Captain Greg Karch is arguably the most philanthropic personality in the fishing industry.

Forestville, WI (June 14, 2023) – In Catholicism, the holiest of the holy sometimes achieve sainthood…posthumously, however. In fishing, for angling educator Captain Greg Karch, sainthood has been achieved while sharing the gospel of fishing in living flesh and bone. 

Oaklawn 4th grader with his first sunfish. Learn 2 Fish With Us has been hosting fishing clinics for Oaklawn Elementary the last seven years.

“If we could clone his knowledge and passion for angling and desire to pass it along, we would never have to worry about angling recruitment again,” said National Professional Angler Association president (NPAA) and Future Angler Foundation (FAF) founder Pat Neu.

Regrettably, for many, angler recruitment is but lip service. Looks good on paper, but no practicing what they preach. For Karch, fostering the next generation of anglers is a passion and a lifestyle. 

Partnered with Winneconne High School Fishing Team to teach third graders how to cast safely and accurately.

Karch’s drive to educate developed while he worked in IT at Thrivent Financial. Upper management took notice of how Karch produced “quickly and cheaply,” so they asked him to teach his methods to other employees. As a result, with no formal training or degree on the wall, Karch became a defacto educator. His passion manifested in charitable work, too, Thrivent Financial honoring him with “Volunteer of the Year” accolades for his selfless hours invested in supporting nonprofits.

Fishing has been a lifelong pursuit as well. Serious fishing. Passionate fishing. Karch competed professionally from 1999 to 2015. Likewise, the fishing maverick operated a guide service on Wisconsin’s Winnebago and Green Bay for five years. And all this while he hosted youth fishing events and managed a fulltime job. Whew…

In 2015, Karch made the decision to sideline professional angling and devote his precious off-work-hours to introducing kids to the lifelong pursuit of fishing. So, along with his wife Karen, the dynamic duo created Learn to Fish with Us, a 501(c)(3).

Captain Greg showing the youth of the Greater Milwaukee Boys & Girls Club a leech. This clinic was held in 2021 during COVID.

Since its inception, Learn to Fish with Us has put more youth events on the board than dare we say anyone. In fact, this past weekend they hosted their 365th event. Ruminate on that number for a minute. Quite astonishing. They’ll put on over 40 events this year, even eking out 40 dates during the COVID calamity.

Geographically, the Karch’s focus on their greater backyard, to include Wisconsin, Michigan, and northern Illinois. Learn to Fish with Us collaborates with schools, park and recreation departments, 4-H Clubs, churches, Scout troops, Big Brothers and Sisters, and more.

The Karch’s are masterful organizers, too, bearing out how they’re able to host so many events. Logistically, they first coordinate with the right groups – other doers not posers – and select primo locations with generous shore fishing access and a high probability of catching fish. Next comes manpower. “I have a tight group of friends and anglers to draw from,” said Karch. “Very grateful for my volunteers. Can’t do it without them.” 

Winneconne High School Fishing Team teaching students how to tie basic fishing knots.

The events themselves are immersive. “It’s hands-on,” said Karch. “The kids get to handle gear, cast, and tie-knots.” The opposite of a static seminar – it’s experiential. Karch continues: “And we don’t go over their heads,” as Karch considers their tender ages and possibility they’ve never wet a line before. 

Karch’s relationships with FAF and NPAA are crucial, too. He explained, “FAF and NPAA have been vital in Learn 2 Fish With Us accomplishing our mission by providing fishing combos and Future Pro shirts, so youth can continue their fishing experience.”

Karch was asked if there was an example of how learning to fish changed someone’s life. His response was immediate. “There was an unemployed dad who took advantage of our free events to get his kid into the fishing. I heard the kid say he didn’t want to fish. But that first fishing experience stuck. He ended up attending three clinics. And best of all, he came back and won a youth tournament we put on, catching 17 fish.” 

On this chilly and windy day, students wait to catch a fish from the Menominee Park mooring piers.

The question begs, how does a philanthropic angler get involved in youth education? Karch says step one is talking to local fishing organizations, like clubs. They might already have programs in place, and they’re always in need of extra bodies. Talk to local teachers, too, especially ones you know. Better yet, classrooms your kids or grandkids are in. According to Karch, Big Brothers/Big Sisters are also receptive. “There are so many organizations looking for outside activities, especially post-COVID,” said Karch.

“You want to make a difference when you’re alive,” Karch concluded. 

Saint Karch has set a high bar. Getting involved at a lesser level mightn’t yield sainthood, but you’ll certainly be angelic. 

Captain Greg teaching students how to identify the different fish.

Want to learn more or offer your time and expertise? Visit www.learn2fishwithus.com. Captain Karch will surely take your call. He can help with planning and hosting, along with recruiting volunteers, product and financial support. Visit Learn to Fish with Us on Facebook. 
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ABOUT Future Angler Foundation

The Future Angler Foundation (FAF) is an incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation formed in April of 2012. The FAF’s mission is to “Create New Anglers and Boaters” through its support of angler education and boating safety programs hosted by passionate, knowledgeable volunteers throughout the U.S. and through its “Getting Families Fishing” initiative, a series of free source digital educational programs developed to engage young anglers and boaters as they educate them about angling in an exciting, informative, and effective manner. More information about the FAF can be found online at www.futureangler.org.

CONTACTS:

Pat Neu

FAF President

president@futureangler.org

(920) 365-6051

Noel Vick

Traditions Media

noel@traditionsmedia.com

(612) 708-7339

Jun 12

Second Of Four Bike And Fish Classes Was Held

Mark Moran, Learn 2 Fish With Us board member, held his second Bike and Fish class for youth from St. John’s Lutheran School along with community kids. The day started out biking to the Marysville Reservoir in Ohio. Once the youth got to the pond, they learned about fishing and then fished, where they caught fish. Each youth received a rigged fishing combo, tackle box and fishing educational book thanks to Learn 2 Fish With Us. Two more Bike and Fish classes will be held this summer.

 

Jun 12

De Pere Cub Scouts Learn 2 Fish

Learn 2 Fish With Us volunteers Greg, Karen, Nick and Jake hosted a fishing clinic for the De Pere Cub Scouts at a De Pere park, on Sunday, June 11th.  The day may have started of rainy and windy but by the time the fishing clinic started, the rain had passed.  The afternoon started out with Captain Greg presenting his Fishing Basics seminar which teaches attendees on the equipment and skills needed to begin fishing.  Fishing Basic teaches; safety while fishing, spin cast and spinning fishing combos, casting, setting the hook, simple fishing presentations, knots, live and artificial bait, fish identification, aquatic invasive species, catch and release and so much more.  After the seminar, each youth received a fully rigged fishing combo, NPAA Future Pro shirt and Go Fishing educational book thanks to the National Professional Anglers Association,  Future Angler Foundation and Learn 2 Fish With Us.

It may have been cold, but fishing was HOT for bass and bluegills.  Today over one hundred panfish and bass were caught!!  These kids were smiling from ear to ear!!  The scouts already said they plan on doing a lot of fishing this summer!!

 

Jun 12

30th Kids Fishing Day Hosted During Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend

Learn 2 Fish With Us volunteers Captain Greg,  Karen Karch and Jake Munn attended the 30th Kids Fishing Day which was hosted by the Michigan DNR, US Forest Service and the Kids Fishing Day committee.  Kids Fishing Day took place on Saturday, June 10th, at Upper Peninsula Pocket Park in Escanaba, Michigan.  Nearly three hundred youth and adults attended the event which was held during Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend. 

Learn 2 Fish With Us hosted a fishing education booth, where youth and parents could learn to cast safely and accurately, tie a Palomar and Clinch knot, fish identification and safety while fishing.  A huge thank you goes to US Forest Service volunteers and Jake Munn for their help in the Learn 2 Fish With Us hands on fishing educational booth.   Youth went fishing in the stocked pond where many fish were caught.  Other educational opportunities at Kids Fishing Day was BB gun shooting, shooting a bow, aquatic invasive species, meeting Smokey the bear and so much more!!  After the youth attended all the stations, it was time for lunch which included hot dogs, chips and a soda!!  Youth received a fishing related prize which included fishing combos, nets and many other fishing goods.

Jun 07

The Fish Were Biting During Learn 2 Fish With Us Fox Crossings / Neenah Park & Rec Fishing Clinic

Learn 2 Fish With Us partnered with the Fox Crossings and Neenah Park & Recreation to host a fishing clinic for the families that lived in the communities.  Captain Greg and volunteers shared their passion for fishing on Wednesday, June 7th, at Doty Park, which is located in Neenah, Wisconsin. 

The morning started out with the youth and families attending our Fishing Basics seminar which teaches them about the skills and equipment needed to begin fishing, which includes: safety while fishing, how to use a spin cast and spinning fishing combo, how to cast safely and accurately, live and artificial bait, how to tie a Clinch and Palomar knot, fish identification, aquatic Invasive species and so much more.  After the seminar each of the youth received a fully rigged spin cast fishing combo, Future Pro Shirt and fishing educational book.  Then it was time for the youth and families to go fishing with the help of the Learn 2 Fish With Us volunteers.  You would not believe all the fish that were caught!!  Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Catfish made up the youths catch!!  The smiles were endless.  Captain Greg got four youth to hold their first fish ever.  How cool is that!!

Jun 06

Volunteers Receive Thank You Cards From Recent Schools Fishing Clinics

Check out all the awesome Thank You cards that Learn 2 Fish With Us received from the recent fishing clinics held for the Fox Valley Area schools.  The kids and teachers thank our volunteers for the fun fishing clinics!!

Jun 04

Learn 2 Fish With Us Is Part of US Forest Service Kids Fishing Day During Wisconsin’s Free Fishing Weekend

Learn 2 Fish With Us volunteers Captain Greg  and Karen Karch  helped during the 23rd Annual Kids Fishing Day, which was hosted by the United States Forest Service.  Kids Fishing Day took place on Saturday, June 3rd at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center located in Ashland, Wisconsin.  Nearly two hundred youth attended the event which was held during Wisconsin’s Free Fishing Weekend.  Families registered for a time slot and then experienced the many fishing stations which included, casting, how to hold a fish, knot tying, Aquatic Invasive Species, keeping the lead out, parts of a fish, fish identification, safety while fishing and so much more.  Once the youth attended all the educational stations they went fishing in a stocked pond where many fish were caught.

The youth received many goodies in their bag which included hooks, hat, shirt, fishing educational book and other goodies.  Each family received a fishing combo thanks to all the great sponsors.

May 31

First Of Four Bike And Fish Classes Was Held This Past Week

Mark Moran, Learn 2 Fish With Us board member, held a Bike and Fish class for youth from St. John’s Lutheran School along with community kids.    The day started out with the youth biking through Lake Delaware State Park in Ohio.  Once the youth got to the pond, they learned about fishing and then fished, where they caught fish.  Each youth received a rigged fishing combo, tackle box and fishing educational book thanks to Learn 2 Fish With Us.    Four Bike and Fish classes will be held through the summer.

May 31

South Park 8th Graders Fish With Captain Greg And Crew!!

It was the hottest day so far in 2023, and so was the fishing for the eighth graders of South Park Middle School of Oshkosh.  Eighth graders went fishing with Captain Greg and volunteers of Learn 2 Fish With Us at Menominee Park on May 30th.  Over eighty students, were split into four groups, and attended one of four fishing sessions which lasted an hour and a half.  Captain Greg and crew from Learn 2 Fish With Us shared their passion for fishing by educating them on fishing, and then took them fishing. 

Students learned the skills and equipment need to begin fishing such as; safety while fishing, spin cast and spinning fishing combos, how to cast, different fishing presentations, fish identification, knots, live and artificial bait, aquatic invasive species, keeping a fishing log and so much more.  After each seminar, students went fishing for an hour.  Fishing was awesome and the students caught largemouth bass, bluegill, perch, rock bass and bullheads!!  You should have seen all the smiles!! 

Each student received a NPAA Future Pro shirt thanks to the National Professional Anglers Association and Future Angler Foundation.