It just happened that they were all girls and some didn't know a fishing pole from a flag pole. I practiced my teaching technique on them first. We instructed children on how to rig their equipment, how to cast, and most importantly how to leave the fishing hole even cleaner than they found it by bringing along a plastic bag to pick up other people's trash. Every child received fishing lures made from recycled plastic. The hatchery had a full staff instructing children as well as adults in the various programs they administer, and the kids could "fish" with magnets for metal fish representing the various salmon species. They could read the life cycles and characteristics of their "catch". Tours were given throughout the day by hatchery staff. This year there will be a salmon derby as well, so kids can go out with an adult and compete. There will be many prizes and lots of other interesting exhibits and events. Check with Anna Kastner at the hatchery for dates and details.

This June, Dan donated a guided trip for the Kiwanis "Get Hooked on Fishing...Not On Drugs" event. Kiwanis stocked the Bedrock Park lagoon in Oroville with 600 catfish, and 500 steelhead. The lagoon was blocked off so that the fish would not escape before the fishing event. The catfish were all locally raised at Lewis Johnson Fisheries in Palermo. If a child did not have equipment, loaner rods and reels were available, and bait was provided. An estimated 800 fisherkids participated. Many of these young participants caught their first fish ever, and the excitement on their faces was its own reward. A free raffle ran almost continuously throughout the derby, just to ensure that all of the young participants would leave the event with either a nice prize, a fish, or both. A special prize was offered to the lucky angler who happened to land the single albino catfish. Prizes totaled over $3,000 and ranged from fishing rod/reel combinations, tackle boxes, fishing supplies, bicycles, soccer balls, soft balls, to team logo jerseys.

The Kiwanis provided experienced anglers to offer advice and help, but this was a true community effort. Local businesses donated time, expertise, money, supplies, and prizes. The Kiwanis Club provided a free pancake breakfast for the participants as well as fish cleaning services for the lucky anglers. They even provided recipes for the kids to try out when they got home. Also on hand was Ident-A-Child, the Fire Safety Education House, an Oroville Fire Dept. fire truck, Oroville Hospital Paramedics, a California Highway Patrol safety officer, a D.A.R.E. officer, and none other than Smokey the Bear. Gary Soudan DDS, the chairman of the Youth Fishing Derby Committee explained that "the goal of this enormously successful event was to provide an alternative to drugs by showing these kids a fun, healthy and exciting sport".

Another event which combined two programs in an exciting way was the "Day of Fishing" co-sponsored by the Americorps' Northcoast Mentor Program and the North Coast Sport Fishing News. Jim Childs is the "One Man Band" behind the NCSFN and I have the privilege of contributing to his magazine. We have had many long conversations about the sport we both love and our passion to pass this enthusiasm on to the younger generation of fishermen. On June 26 kids and adults arrived by shuttle at the Duck Pond in Eureka's Sequoia Park to wet a line. The Department of Fish and Game planted the pond with 300 rainbow trout. Jim tells me that they caught almost every one. He and Rich Mercurio were on hand to demonstrate fishing techniques and safety to all participants. Drawings were held and six winners received a fishing rod or tackle box. Parents and Mentors were also important participants in this event. We all have some activity, the pursuit of which fills us with great joy, and for Jim, Dan, myself, and many others, fishing is our bliss. Jim Child's Day of Fishing was described as "an event where positive role modeling, sharing life skills and friendships could flourish". It should be mentioned that the Mentor Program is also an incredibly important part of the lives of many of Eureka's children.

provide positive direction, a sense of anticipation, and a feeling of accomplishment by organizing and participating in programs such as these. We are saying to children: we care about you, we are willing to work with you and for you, we know you are full of good things and we know you can succeed. If you would like to have more information on these events you can contact: Anna Kastner at (530) 538-2222, Gary Soudan at (530) 533-3142, or Jim Childs at (707) 442-3701. Organize a day of fishing for kids in your area. You too can have an influence on the next generation.

Columnist Joan Carter co-owns, with her husband, Dan Carter's Guide Service.