Discover Nature – Fishing

[Phil Lilley]

From Liz Gray

Angler Education Assistant

MDC, SW Regional Office

 

The department has a program entitled Discover Nature – Fishing.  This program was developed to try and reach out to anglers of all ages, helping to educate them in the basics of fishing.  Our goal is that they can then go on from our program and be successful and independent anglers for life.  Our program is in need of additional volunteer instructors.

Our classes are held almost exclusively on Saturday mornings at locations around the Southwest region, the closest of which to Branson would be the Belladonna Pond at the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery.  These classes run from 9-11am, and the department provides all materials and bait for the program.  The program consists of four lessons which build upon one another as the season progresses.  Lesson one includes parts of a rod and reel, casting, setting the hook, fish handling, and how to put a bobber and sinker on the line.  Lesson two covers tying on hooks, baiting a hook using natural baits, and stocking a tackle box.  Lesson three discusses fish biology and ecology.  Lesson four wraps up with an introduction to varying lures, as well as fishing regulations.  Each lesson does include a catch and release fishing portion.

If there is anyone who would like to help with this program, email Liz at Liz.gray@mdc.mo.gov