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Future Anglers Learn About Safety at National Walleye Tour Event In Escanaba

Category: npaa

 Sep 10th, 2014 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Sep 10th, 2014 at 12:00 AM

The NPAA held its third Future Angler Clinic of the year for the National Walleye Tour on Saturday August 30 in  Escanaba, MI following the final day weigh in.  An estimated 125 young anglers were in attendance, accompanied by their parents.

Marianne Huskey took the stage and talked to both the kids and the parents about the importance of wearing a United States Coast Guard Approved Life Jackets.  Regulations on the Great Lakes stipulate that life jackets must be worn at all times for boaters that are 13 years of age or younger.

Marianne went on to discuss the steps each boater needs to take to help control the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species(AIS).  The importance of following three easy steps Clean, Drain, Dry were stated.   “Each one of you kids here can help mom and dad make sure there are no Aquatic Hitchhikers on board”.  Each trip to the lake should end by Cleaning all the weeds/vegetation from the boat, trailer, and motor;  Draining  the bilge, baitwells, live wells; and by Drying the boat for up to 5 days if feasible.

With 125 children present the NPAA members including Eric Olson, John Gilman, Rick Zachowski, Mark Brumbaugh, Gary Spiker and Marianne Huskey handed out books on Invasive Species, Rod and Reel combo’s, and NPAA “Future Pro” T-Shirts to the kids.

“I would like to thank the Escanaba Chamber of Commerce and TV Channel 6 news for the extra coverage we received for the NPAA Youth Clinic. It was great to see so many kids at the event even with the rainy weather. ” said Marianne after the event on Saturday.

The NPAA will be hosting a “Future Angler” clinic at the National Walleye Tour Championship on Oshkosh WI on Friday September 19, 2014 at Menominee Park following the weigh in on day two of that event.