NPAA Anglers Share Their Passion in Trenton
Category: npaa
May 28th, 2014 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified May 28th, 2014 at 12:00 AM
On Friday, April 18, 2014, NPAA member Rick Kretzschmar led the 2014 Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Youth Fishing Clinic at Trenton, Michigan’s Elizabeth Park marina. Mr. Kretzschmar was assisted by five (5) Wisconsin Pro Anglers who were competing in the MWC tournament when they came off the water after their first day of competition. The NPAA Pro Instructors included: Kevin Dahl (NPAA # 115), Wayne Butz (NPAA # 450), Steve Bodinger (NPAA # 419), with assistance from MWC Pros Steve Stack & Dan Bodinger.
These Pros did a terrific job of instructing the attending young anglers & their adult family members.
The Clinic had 21 Kids & their Adult relatives in attendance. The participants learned about:
Fishing & Boating Safety, including, but not limited to proper Fishing Pole handling, PDFs (Personal Floatation Devices), Review of Fishing and Rod & Reel equipment and how the equipment works, Demonstration of proper Casting technique and practice casting by the students as well as casting to targets employing “Backyard Bass” targets, Fishing Knot tying (Improved Clinch & Palomar Knots) with 12 inch “PROJECTFISH” practice hooks, Proper Bobber use and their purposes, different types of fishing set-ups (Bobber & Sinker, Jigging, Crank Baits & Trolling), Review of different types of Bait (Live & Artificial), the different Parts of a Fish and their importance, Review of Different Fish Species (with the use of “PROJECTFISH” Fish Flash Cards for Identification), Learning about Aquatic Invasive Species, their impact on native Natural Resources and the importance of “CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY” procedures, Fishing Regulations and required compliance, even if a Fishing License is not required for under age Anglers, Catch & Release of Fish, proper handling of fish & taking a photograph of caught fish that are not being harvested, and Sportsmanship and Respecting & Protecting the environment.
At the conclusion of the clinic, all youth participants received NPAA Rod/ Spin Cast Reel combos, NPAA “Future Pro” Tee shirts, a Michigan DNR “Let’s Go Fishing” booklet, Michigan Sea Grant Bobbers, Fish Tape Measures, Invasive Species Hand Books & Floating Key Chains.