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NPAA Family Team Share Patriotic Passion

 Jul 10th, 2015 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Jul 10th, 2015 at 12:00 AM

July 4th – NPAA member Brent Long #109 and Future Pro member Drake Long presented a fishing basics clinic to 32 kids and 17 adults at The Great Blue Heron Music Festival held in Sherman, NY. The presentation began with discussion on safety and wearing a properly fitted life jacket. Everyone learned how to tie both the clinch knot and the polymer knot, a couple of kids had an opportunity to show how easy they were to tie. The kids learned how to cast and set the drag on a closed faced reel; setting up a bobber presentation for panfish and then looked at using artificial lures such as a crankbaits, spinner baits, jigs with plastics and/or live bait.

The team went on to cover the importance Clean, Drain, and Dry plays in slowing the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species during an AIS discussion. They also covered avoiding the transfer of invasive species by bait, water or weeds on fishing equipment.

The Long Team wants to thank the NPAA and FAF for supplying a rod combo, Future Pro Tee shirt, AIS water bottle, and fishing journals for the kids.  Animalistic Outdoors supplied bait for all the young anglers to try their new skills fishing for bluegill and bass. About one third of the kids had never experienced fishing before this event. All the kids left excited to be fishing in the future and a few new adult anglers also.