Fishing for young anglers

Lawrence Van Veghel

Milwaukee Fishing Examiner

 

Over twenty seven years ago, I was involved in helping to create the Kids Fishing Klinics in Wisconsin.   The late, and great, Mike Ross, then president of both the Wisconsin Council of Sport Fishing Organizations, WCSFO, and of the Wisconsin Fishing Club, Ltd, WFR, and Ron Pining of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, WDNR, were the two major players in the creation of these “Klinics.”  Mike Ross used the upper case letter “K” to make the word stand out.  Over the years, new people who didn’t know why this was so decided to correct the spelling so youngsters wouldn’t misspell it in their writings.

Wouldn’t it be nice if they did the same throughout advertising writings?

How do you spell “relief?”  (R-o-l-a-i-d-s).

Today, I’m the secretary and media director for both the WCSFO and WFR.  The president of WCSFO is John Durben of the Green Bay Area Great Lakes Sports Fishing club, GBGLSF, and Wayne Avery, WFC, is the able kids fishing coordinator for WFSFO and WFC.

This year, all clinics start at 9 am.  The last class starts at 2 pm.  The date is Saturday, April 16 for the 27th Annual “Kids’ Fishing Clinics.”   Four counties hold these clinics.  Member clubs of WCSFO, the WDNR, and the Milwaukee County House of Correction Fish Hatchery, where they raise fish for stocking while helping criminals straighten out their lives combine to make this event possible.  Here are the locations:

MILWAUKEE COUNTY

Brown Deer Park, 7835 N. Green Bay Rd., Hosted by the Okauchee Fishing Club.

Greenfield Park, 2028 S. 124th St.  Hosted by Milwaukee Area Great Lakes Sports Fishermen, plus Milwaukee Casting Club.

Humboldt Park,3000 S. Howell Ave.  Hosted by Lunkers Unlimited.

McCarty Park, 8214 W. Cleveland Ave., Wheelchair accessible.  Hosted by Southside Sportsmen’s Club, plus Sunnyside Rod and Gun Club.

McGovern Park, 5400 W. 51st Blvd. Wheelchair accessible.  Hosted by Badger Fisherman’s League.

Mitchell Park, 2200 W. Pierce St.  Hosted by Bay View Rod and Gun Club.

Oak Creek Parkway, Oak Creek Pkwy. and Mill Rd. South Milwaukee.  Hosted by Friends of the Oak Creek Mill Pond.

Scout Lake Park, 5902 W. Loomis Rd., Wheelchair accessible.  Hosted by Walleyes Unlimited, USA.

Sheridan Park, 4800 S. Lake Dr.  Hosted by Lakeridge Boat Club and South Milwaukee 1400 Fishing and Hunting Club.

Washington Park, 1859 N. 40th St., Wheelchair accessible.  Hosted by EB Garner’s Fishing Club.

Wilson Park, 1601 W. Howard Ave.  Hosted by Wisconsin Fishing Club, Ltd.  Milwaukee Fishing Examiner will be here.

Racine County

Quarry Park Lake, 3800 Northwestern Ave.  Hosted by Salmon Unlimited.

Washington County

Sandy Knoll Park, 2064 Wallace Lake Rd., West Bend.  Hosted by Trout Unlimited Southeast Chapter, plus West Bend Kiwanis Early Risers.

Waukesha County

No park entrance fee is charged, and parking passes are distributed at the event.

Fox Brook Park, 2925 N. Barker Rd.  Hosted by Werr Valley Sportsmen’s Club.

Menomonee Park/Lannon Quarry, W220 N7884 Townline Road., Menomonee Falls, ½ mile north of Good Hope Rd.  Hosted by Wisconsin House Outdoorsman.

Muskego Park, S83 W20370 Janesville Road, Muskego.  Hosted by Women’s Hunting and Sporting Association.

Sponsored in cooperation with the Wisconsin Council of Sport Fishing Organizations, WCSFO, Milwaukee, Racine, Washington and Waukesha County Parks, Milwaukee County House of Correction Fish Hatchery, and the Department of Natural Resources.

Free instructions for children 15 years of age and younger.  Young children need adult accompaniment.  Classes are taught by members of local fishing clubs.  Fishing equipment is available, but youth can bring their rods and reels.  Adults are not allowed to fish, with the exception of instructors.  No pre-registration is necessary, but to prepare for groups of 20 or larger, call 414-263-8614.  Call this same number or 414-263-5494 for more information.