Teaching the Next Generation of Anglers

Trout Unlimited in conjunction with DEEP’s CARE program, The Aspetuck Land Trust, and the eternal generosity of Bass Pro Shops had another wonderful day teaching young kids, and some parents, to fish.

This year marks our third time doing this. This year, we taught 27 second graders from the Adam J. Lewis Academy in Bridgeport the basics of fishing, from knots to the type of fish we have in Connecticut, and, importantly, some safety tips. Though first-aid kits were within easy reach, we — phew — had no need for them. That’s a 100% record for the folks involved.

In addition to the class, the kids took the 70-odd trout they raised (from eggs to fingerlings) under the Trout-In-Classroom program and, with waves and perhaps a few tears, sent them off into the pond next to the Beardsley Zoo.

While not the most prolific day as far as catching, the kids managed to hook a few. When that happened, whomever the individual instructors were supervising, were left as the kids ran to the lucky angler with cheers of “Zoey caught a fish!!!” They returned to their rods where we, the instructors, untangled lines, rebaited with worms, and helped them cast.

As was done in past years, the children were awarded with rod/reel combos provided by the Bass Pro Shops. Future anglers, future customers, future conservationists…this is what it’s about.

We want to give special thanks to Rodigo Pinto and his staff from Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education program, Reggie Saint Fortcolin, Outreach Coordinator at Aspetuck Land Trust, Michael Abraham of the Bass Pro Shops, and John Shanley, Lower School STEAM teacher at Adam J. Lewis.

And let’s not forget the TU volunteers; Rich Rosen who helped lead the classroom instruction, David Ader, Len Tavormina, Fred Lord, and Joseph Lanese, for ensuring everyone was having a grand time.