Here, fishy fishy

The Whitecourt Fish and Game Association has held an Annual Kids’ Fishing Day every year for the last 14 years. On June 10, warm weather brought families and young anglers out to take advantage of the opportunity to learn firsthand about fishing.

The four-hour event gave children the chance to learn how to cast, reel, and use bait. If they were lucky they were even taught how to properly kill, clean, and fillet their fish; that is, if they wanted to keep it. If not, they were shown how to properly release the fish safely back into the pond. Rods were available to utilize and bait was provided, as well.

This year the association held a free barbecue for attendees to come by and grab a bite to eat in between casts. President of the Whitecourt Fish and Game Association, Glenna Schutte, manned the barbecue along with volunteer Denise Girard. They dished out hot dogs and hamburgers to everyone who came down to the angling event.

“Everybody looks like they are having a great time and we are very pleased. The weather held out nicely, as well, so that is great. I know a lot of the members that are participating today and helping the kids out. This event is one of their favourite things to do. They just burst with pride when the kids are so excited,” said Glenna.

One of several members who was helping the children fish was Greg Gilbertson. Throughout the day he went from helping at the pond’s edge with teaching how to cast out to showing his knife skills as he gutted and prepared the fish for taking home. “This is the one event that the association does that I would pay to be involved in, to come out, and do. It is so satisfying and so much fun to see kids catch their first fish or their 10th. They get excited and it just rubs off on you. It’s a heck of a lot of fun,” said a smiling Greg. Moments later, he was back out sharing his love for fishing with a new generation.

As a member of the association for over 20 years, Glenna is now in her first year as president. “We always like to encourage kids to get more involved with outdoor activities. Not just fishing and hunting but conservation as well so that these resources are here for their children and their grandchildren,” she said.

New this year is a Ladies’ League and, as Glenna explains, it’s a great opportunity to get involved. “They’ve become active members and are very enthusiastic and excited about being part of the club. Right now, we have at least 20 women and they just recently held a retreat at the archery range.” To learn more, search WFGA Ladies’ League on Facebook.

To stay up to date with the events that the Whitecourt Fish and Game Association puts on throughout the year, join its Facebook page. To learn more about joining the association and the benefits of being a member, visit www.wfag.ca.