4-H Sportfishing Coming to Alabama
Auburn, Oct. 13, 2004---4-H Sportfishing is coming to Alabama and it’s an activity for everyone – girls, boys, young, old, city folks and country folks.
The 4-H Sportfishing program is open to all youth ages 9 to 19. Younger children can participate if a parent is with them. The program will teach youth about fishing and field safety, tackle crafting, aquatic ecology, which lure to use, and many other skills to help them become good fishermen and women and environmental stewards. In addition, it will also help youth learn and develop life skills, such as decision making, discipline, leadership, communication, organization and planning, all in a fun, recreational setting.
The first 4-H Sportfishing leader training is Oct. 29-31 at Auburn University. Anyone interested in natural resources programs and/or fishing, and working with children, can be a leader and is invited to attend the training session. Cost of the training is $30 per person and the fee covers two lunches, one dinner, a t-shirt and educational materials. All participants are responsible for their own lodging. There is no football game in Auburn that weekend, so motel rooms should be readily available.
“This is a hands-on workshop,” says Dr. Emily Kling, a 4-H environmental education specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. “The workshops include sessions on tacklecrafting, knot-tying, spincasting and casting safety, bass and bluegill, teaching techniques, how children learn, starting and managing a Sportfishing program, county resources, post-catch care and preparation cooking tips, just to name a few. “
Parents or grandparents interested in 4-H Sportfishing for their children or grandchildren should consider taking the course and starting a 4-H Sportfishing club in their community. Each Extension office in the state has registration information. The deadline for registration is Oct. 22. Send registration form and check made out to Alabama Cooperative Extension System to Lynda Montgomery, 4-H Sportfishing, 209 Duncan Hall, Auburn University, AL
35849-5620.
Each participant should bring their outdoor clothing, a hat and sunglasses or safety glasses. Participants may want to bring their own rods, reels and tackle boxes as well and some sort of sun protection or rain gear. They will be outdoors from noon until 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Goals for the 4-H Sportfishing program include strengthening families through recreational activities; exposing participants to the broad array of lifelong activities related to sportsfishing; developing caring relationships as well as appreciation for sportfishing; understanding the ecological and social basics of fisheries management; learning about a variety of fish species and using a variety of sportfishing equipment; making and repairing fishing tackle; and developing and building life skills that will help youth become better, communicators and leaders in their communities.
The program is sponsored by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and the Auburn University Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures.
For more information about Sportfishing or registration, contact Lynda Montgomery at montgly@auburn.edu, (334) 844-2232 or Fax (334) 844-2252.
Posted by Jim Langcuster at October 14, 2004 10:40 AM