GO PLAY OUTSIDE -- FISHING KIDS 2005 and 2004, CLEAR LAKE SPOKANE, WA

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Washington Wildlife Federation (WWF) are working together in a first of its kind partnership between a state government agency and a non-profit organization. Nearly two dozen organizations have joined the Washington Wildlife Coalition to help connect youth, women and others with the traditions of fishing, shell fishing, hunting, and target shooting. The Washington State Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers, WSCFFF, is a member of the coalition.

In Spokane, Washington the Fishing Kids days, May 7, 2005 and May 8, 2004, were at the Fairchild Air Force Base recreational facility on Clear Lake. Others involved included Avista (they donated half the fish), 4H, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and C.A.S.T. For Kids Foundation. Zebco provided the rods and reels, and several companies donated hooks, worms, bobbers and other needed items.

The 2005 pictures were taken by Bob Bates, Inland Empire Fly Fishing Club and the 2004 pictures were taken by Jim Owens of C.A.S.T. For Kids Foundation. About 1,000 kids were registered each year but only 700-800 or so attended because of threatening weather. The ones who attended caught a lot of fish and had a lot of fun. Volunteers from the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, Walleye Club, Inland Empire Fly Fishing Club and Spokane Fly Fishers assisted. Several employees from the WFDW were there. After all, they stocked the fish and pulled the nets at day's end (see last picture) and provided guidance if necessary. (If I missed anyone, I am sorry.)

Click on thumbnail to see a larger view.

2005 Pictures

Lines of kids waiting were kept to a minimum by good organization. Rods were set up ready to go, and they were handed out as the kids walked by. The only time they waited was to let an earlier group finish.

There were two places for the kids to fish on Clear Lake: The beach and the docks. Fishing from the beach seemed to be a little better, but the kids had a tendency to throw their bobbers beyond the net that corralled the fish. If the hook and bobber broke off they were given another rod, and volunteers repaired the broken one.

Fishing from the docks was a challenge. Everybody, including the volunteers in orange vests, were required to wear life jackets. Nobody fell in.

Some of the kids were helped by their parents and others by the volunteers. Most of the kids all you needed to do is show them once, and they were on their own. The amazing thing was that the dedicated fly anglers (orange vests) were skilled at putting on Power Bait and worms. They know who they are so I wont identify them.

Beside all the fun we had helping the kids, the rain held off until we were leaving.

 

 

2004 Pictures

When the kids and their parents first join the rest of the people it looks like they would never get through. See line in far left picture. In a few minutes they will sign in, look at the displays, talk to the Coast Guard Auxiliary members about water safety and move on to where the kids received a rod with bobber, weight and hook. The hooks were baited by volunteers on the beach and docks.

Before the kids arrive volunteers put together the rods, and they hand them out as the kids walk by. More rods were moved up as the first ones were handed out. As one group (flight) was going through other volunteers were getting ready for the next one.

This is where the action was. About 4,000 rainbows were stocked along the beach and another 3,500 fish around the docks. The fish were controlled by fine nets. The dock and beach are almost shoulder to shoulder with people. Amazingly only one kid hooked himself and no parents or volunteers were hooked.

Here you see what is intended, kids fishing. If necessary parents, volunteers or WDFW personnel showed them how and where to cast and then let them do it. Sometimes if a kid couldn't hook the fish that took down the bobber he was given a little help, but most of the time the kid did it all by themselves. It should be noted that some of the volunteers baiting hooks with worms and showing kids how to use a spinning rod are dedicated fly fishers. Some of these kids will have a continuing interest in all forms of fishing including angling with a fly.

Sometimes the kids did it all on their own.

The girl in the right hand five pictures needed a little help, but she landed three fish. Finally the obligatory pose with the fish.

The last step for the day was pulling the nets that corralled the fish. WDFW personnel installed the nets, stocked the fish, salvaged all the bobbers and hooks in the nets and finally they released any leftover fish to the lake.

Thank you WDFW and volunteers