Teaching the next generation of anglers can take many forms.  My recipe starts with a bunch of Cub Scouts and their families.  I add a 5 hour set of slideshow and exercises for the classroom that covers safety, species ID, conservation, knots and tackle and techniques, and then 2 field practice sessions involving derbies at the local pier with the winners taking home new spinning rod/reel combos, and issue certificates to all kid participants.  Pre-requisites include about 15 sets of rod/reel, a tackle bag with a couple of small rigging kits and lots of cheap sabiki rigs.  I’m up in the Bay Area and Santa Cruz is close by and has free parking up until 10am on the Weekends.

Parents get excited too because many haven’t fished in years or at all.  And no license is required on public saltwater piers.  Cub scout requirements for fishing pin and belt loops are online.  The system works with older Boy Scouts, but requires a certified/trained Merit Badge Counselor present to sign off blue cards.

UPSAC has many opportunities to volunteer and one of our upcoming projects is to teach kids about ethical angling, habitat and species identification, and stewardship of our precious ocean resources. It’s a way to keep at-risk kids off the streets and in a positive and productive environment. Starting in early 2010 in the Los Angeles area, we’ll be working with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the South Bays and we need mentors who will give a few hours each month (specific dates coming soon). Areas of responsibility include:

• transporting kids to/from Club locations
• preparing nutritious snacks for kids
• setting up fishing rods
• providing fishing instruction for kids
• providing information on the surrounding habitat
• teaching kids about conservation and recycling
• cleanup

Don’t fish?  No worries!  Mentors aren’t required to have any fishing experience at all (a fishing expert will always be present).  Your presence and participation in these kids’ lives is what really matters!

Fill out the form to join UPSAC (there aren’t any dues–it’s just how we keep in touch with you) and let us know what area you can help out with.  We’ll send updates on our program as the event gets nearer and also to see when you’d be available.

Ken Jones, President of United Pier and Shore Anglers of California (UPSAC) and International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Trustee Michael Farrior have announced plans to expand on the successful “IGFA Young Anglers Tournaments” that have been held in San Diego over the past seven years. Sponsored primarily by the IGFA and the San Diego Sportfishing Council, coordinated by IGFA Representatives Catherine Miller and John Campbell, and assisted by anglers from UPSAC and other groups, the Kid’s Fishing Derby at Shelter Island—and those at several other San Diego Bay piers (and one lake)—have been an unqualified success. Read more…