BigBendFishing.Net

Hey NFGFC members...lets' get involved in this program. Butch and I have done it before. It is actually fun. The kids are genuine and appreciative.
I am starting a role call of volunteers. Please show your support of kids fishing future and sign up to help.

Dear Mr. Taylor,



The FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management will be hosting the annual Panacea Kids' Fishing Clinic in conjunction with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Wakulla County and the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge Association at Wooley Park on May 31, 2008. I understand that your organization provides services for the betterment of the community and to the education of children, sometimes in providing assistance to events geared toward those purposes. I would like to respectfully request your organization’s consideration to participate in this annual event for children.



This clinic will be held from 11 am to 2 pm, but we request that our volunteers arrive no later than 9:00 am to assist with set up. Volunteers are needed to help with the various stations and tasks at the event. At the event, the children complete five mandatory skill stations including Casting, Knot Tying, Fishing Tackle, Good Angler, and Touch Tank. Each station is timed and after approximately one hour of instruction, the children will receive their free rod and reel (compliments of local sponsors while supplies last), and will have the opportunity to employ their newly learned skills as they go fishing. In order to provide the educational components of this clinic, volunteers are necessary and vital.



As you may already be aware, the Kids’ Fishing Clinic program offers children a chance to experience a positive recreational activity while learning about various marine resources. The clinic is free and each participant will receive a free rod and reel after completion, while supplies last. Fishing equipment and bait are also provided for participants during the clinic.



Volunteers receive a free t-shirt provided by the FWC as a small token of appreciation for participating in the event, for recognition of their dedication and commitment to children and their communities and for giving their time to help educate young anglers about fishing techniques, marine habitats, ethical angling, and conservation.



The Panacea event is coordinated in part by Lori Nicholson of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. At the 2007 event, over 200 children participated and had an extraordinary time. We anticipate that the 2008 event will be even larger. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated, even if volunteers may only commit part of the day. Interested volunteers are asked to please contact Lori Nicholson with the US Fish and Wildlife Service at (850) 925-6121 or the FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management (DMFM) at (850) 488-6058 to confirm and to give us your t-shirt size. For more information about the event please contact me or visit http://myfwc.com/marine/fishingclinics/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.



I realize that this is short notice, but I greatly appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you soon.



Thank you,



Gus Cancro

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Division of Marine Fisheries Management

2590 Executive Center Circle East

Berkley Bldg. Suite 204

Tallahassee, FL 32301

(850) 488-6058 Ext. 226

Fax (850) 488-7152

Visit us at http://www.MyFWC.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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VOLUNTEER LIST;
1. JT51.
2. Butch.
3.RCB.
4.TinCan.
5. JSuber.
6. Trouttrent.
7.

Let me see what my schedule looks like.

Hello....is there anyone interested in helping kids???

Put me down as most likely. I will if I can.

Thanks RCB and TC.
You don't have to bring a boat. No one need bring a boat. This is shore duty.
This is tying knots,talking fishing,rigging tackle, etc.

I can make it. What do I need to bring?

Bring a good attitude and a willingness to teach.

I may drag the boat down to do a little fishing afterwards.

More volunteers would be greatly appreciated as well as needed.
Thanks

Everyone that is helping with the FWC Kids Fishing Clinic is asked to be at Wooley Park by 9 a.m. Saturday.
Wooley Park is in Panacea on Dickerson Bay.
Look for the sign near Crums minimall.

More volunteers are needed. Please come by and give us a hand.
Bring your boat and go fish around Piney Island when the clinic is over.

I'll see if I can get Talltails to show up too.

Signed up two weeks ago, I will be there tomorrow!

Several of us were at the FWC Kids Fishing Clinic today at Wooley Park in Panacea.
The program was outstanding. There were a lot of excited kids learning Knot tying, Tackle basics, Marine life, Catch and release,and basic Good Angler protocol. Then they all came to the Casting section. Most of OUR guys maintained the Casting booth. Here the kids were shown how to cast a rod to a specific target and retrieve their lure.
Most of them learned quickly and were great kids.
After their introduction to casting they went on to the rod and reel booth, here they all were given a rod and reel and bait to go to the pier to catch their very own fish. They all got to keep the rod and reel.
Everyone of you that missed this event missed the opportunity of a lifetime to interact with these willing wonderful youngsters wanting to learn about our pastime of fishing.
Perhaps next year we can become more involved with fishings future.

I can say with all honesty that she is an expert with the ARC dehooker and venting of reef fish.
We worked the Good Angler booth and it was amazing the amount of kids that were there and how fired up they were to get to go fishing. Count us in for volunteering again next year.