Hi everyone, I think we all agree here that fishing is a great hobby. It kept me out of a lot of trouble as a kid, instead of picking up a joint and picking a fight, I picked up a rod and picked a hole. A lot of kids today aren't getting that option. I'm trying to start up a program than involves getting kids, who wouldn't normally get the chance, to get out and go fishing. I would like to take out a group of kids once a week, or every other week, and teach them some fishing basics. While taking them out, also going over the importance of keeping litter picked up, boating and water safety, catch and release, and the environment overall. At the beginning, or end, of each trip, having each kid walk the banks and pick up one bag full of trash. This program would not only get the kids into a great hobby and hopefully out of some trouble, but teach them good outdoor etiquite, and maybe take some of these habits back home with them, maybe even starting picking up the trash around their own neighborhood. Now since "Kids Fish" is still in the making, and being funded out of my own pocket, I haven't got to make any trips yet, other than kids I already know (my young brother in law and his friends, neighbor kids etc..) But I have already started some of what I'm trying to accomplish, I've had them picking up trash, teaching them about the envrionment, and having a blast doing it. If anyone has any old fishing equipment laying around and would be willing to donate or sell for a fair price (like I said, being personally funded) please let me know. I would be willing to either come pick up, or pay the delivery charge, any help is greatly appreciated, any equipment in any shape. Also if anyone knows of a some good places to take a group of kids, somewhere with room, and a good chance of hooking up with some fish, please let me know. Thank you, and wish me luck in this. This is something my father and I have tried getting up and going for some time, and it looks like it might be happening now. Thanks again and ANY time you get a chance, take a kid fishing, it could mean more to them than you will EVER know.

Hunter Collins.

Great idea. I have seen drug-addicted teens become fishing-addicted instead. Government should show more support for such projects; for example using such spots as Lake Merced in San Francisco for local kids. Your project reminds me of some cities where cops take a group of kids on a party boat each year. Local fire departments might be interested also. You also might want to contact local fishing clubs. For example, I believe that the Santa Barbara fishing club has a kids program. You might also contact tackle and bait shops on or near local piers (for example I believe that Angel's bait shop on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara, and Boater's World and a local radio station in Santa Barbara are involved in an annual or semi-annual kid's derby on the pier, and maybe the shop at Lake Cachuma has a kid's program. You may live very far from the places that I mentioned, but there might be some willing commercial, governmental, religious, or angling entities in your area that would be interested in becoming involved. Where are you located?

Best of luck.

Bob

I am located in central Ca, Merced. It's a small town about an hour north of Fresno, about two hours south of Sacremento, no quick access to the salt water ideas you mentioned. However, I do appreciate the enthusiasm, it makes me more ambitious in getting this rolling. I'm in the process of getting together with some local bait shops, but the ideas of getting together with radio stations an what not might be pretty helpfull. Thanks.
Hunter

Contact Andy "COOCH" Cuccia on westernbass.com. He has been doing a yearly event for six years now. Lots of experiance working with the kids, I know he'd be glad to talk with ya. Sean

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