On Saturday, June 13th, 2015 a Youth Fishing Clinic was conducted at the Au Gres River MDNR State Launch after the day’s tournament Weigh-in at the third 2015 MWT tour stop on the Saginaw Bay. This particular Tournament Stop was a Combined Tournament event of the Michigan Walleye Tour and the ‘Doc Harpham’s One Day Shoot-out’.

Rick Kretzschmar, a Certified Fishing Instructor & NPAA member # 438 from Brighton, Michigan served as the Event Clinic Fishing Instructor that included the following clinic subjects:

Water/ Fishing  Safety,  Spin-cast & Open Face Spinning Reel equipment and proper casting techniques, Fishing Knot Tying, the use and purpose of Bobbers & Sinkers, the Different Parts of a Fish and their respective importance and careful “Fish- Handling”, Review of different Great Lakes Fish with the assistance of the “PROJECTFISH Flash Cards, review of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) & the importance of “Clean, Drain, Dry” procedures , Fishing Regulation compliance, “Catch & Release” vs. harvesting options and  Sportsmanship & Protecting the environment. 

The clinic included,  but was not limited to: many exibits of PFDs, Artificial baits, various types of baits, ice fishing equipment and Glass Lab. Viles of 5 Day-old Walleye eggs, 25 Day-old “Eyed” Walleye eggs and 45 Day-old Walleye Fingerlings from Bay De-Noc,  illustrating the life cycle of an eventual  large Predator Fish (walleye). 

At the conclusion of the clinic each participant was given a Spin Cast rod & reel Combo and “Future Pro” tee-shirt and Water Bottles from the NPAA/ Future Angler Foundation;  a “Lets Go Fishing” booklet from the Michigan DNR; Bobbers, Floating Key Chains, Fishing Tape Measures, and AIS Books from the Michigan Sea Grant.

Rick Kretzschmar, NPAA  #438