Jimmy Good Toad's Hobbies page

	Boys and Girls Clubs
	of Greater Nashua

2008 Fall Session - Fishing Class

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This class is scheduled over 7 weeks but we have Columbus Day weekend in the middle of the set so there are actually only 6 weeks of this class that we meet. We meet on Monday's and my thought is there is no better way to make Monday's something to look forward to than to make it a fishing day!

This is my largest class, with 12 kids signed up. Imagine going to the waterfront with 12 kids, most of whom have little or no fishing experience, casting, baiting and otherwise burning off some energy and you have an idea of what this can be like. I long ago discovered that I can not fish during this class as I spend most of my time fixing equipment, untangling lines, baiting hooks and releasing fish.

What I am most thrilled about is discovering (with every class) how many kids are catching fish for the very first time. It's a wonderful sight!

Much to the dismay of all of the kids, my fishing classes do not begin with a trip to the waterhole to go fishing. Rather, the first 2 weeks are spent in the classroom (or in the court yard if the weather is nice) LEARNING how to fish. The first week the kids are exposed to the equipment, how a rod and reel works, how hooks and snap swivels work, how to tie knots and bait hooks.

The second week we spend time practicing these techniques. I have the kids tying knots to hooks, leaders and snap swivels. The learn how to cast. Not just how far, but also how to cast at a target (small can) and even how to cast UNDER branches and docks.

Every class has a cutup, here's my newest! Actually, not new... this young man has been in many of my classes over the years. They all seem to have a fascination with my hat.

Here you can see a young man casting to small bucket scattered under the trees

It was exciting to see how the kids would spend time learning their equipment and learn how to cast at the target with great accuracy.

Week 1 fishing

And all to great success too! Our first fishing trip to "Horseshoe Pond" yielded great results. I beleive that everyone caught a fish. Most of what was caught were sunfish and blue gils, but we caught the occasional bass as well.

The kids were proud and excited to be finally catching fish after 2 weeks of lecture...

It was a wild day. Seems like every minute someone was calling out "I got one!"

A proud moment!

A second proud moment! Yep, many caught more than one!

Several kids brought their own equipment which was good as the class was so large I didn't have enough poles to go around!

A small bass. Tell me this smile isn't worth every minute spent with these kids!

Sunnys galore!

A short shore makes for some interesting combat fishing.

Two at a time!

The biggest weed landed, though larger ones were hooked...

Not to worry though, a fish was soon to follow!

This boy was hitting them big time!

And you said you never catch nuthin'! :)

Yet more fish!

and even MORE fish! She started out slow then started hitting them right and left.

Casting is all important, assuming you actually know where the fish are!

Great shot of mid-cast, you can see the bobber sailing out over the water

As wild as an outdoor class can sometimes be, they all quiet down when concentrating on the fish!

I was amazed with how well these kids did in such close quarters. A testament to their work in practicing their casting.

Another of many sunfish

Yep, another...

Excitement at a first catch!

We be proud fishermen and women!

Another shot of the intrepid fisher folk

Week 2 fishing

Down at Kids Cove we begin catching small trout

I believe that everyone caught at least something!

Another trout

Smiles all around, even thought the fish were small

Proud expressions.

A patient line of lines

Experimenting with different cast/retrieve techniques

What a crowd, what a crowd!

Two at once! The fish were really biting today!

They weren't big, but they were fun to catch!

For everybody!

A very pleasant spot to fish

As well as relax as the day draws to an end.

Fishing at the Souhegan River in Merrimack, the kids get exposed to trout fishing as well as stony river fishing, finding a perch on a rock and the perils of snagged lines.

While the fishing wasn't that great (no fish caught this week) the experience was wonderful!

We were even visited by this rather large spider...

Explaining to the kids that this river is THICK with fish, I think (hope?) that they began to appreciate the skill needed to catch trout in their natural habitat.

The kids enjoyed the area even if they were frustrated with the lack of fish on their lines.

If this isn't a post-card, I don't know what is... :)

Many stayed with it for the whole 2 hours.

While some others decided it was time to rest and explore. I guess these are supposed to be the "boys from the hood"... er, rather that should be the "boys IN the hood"... Well, actually, that would be the "BOY in the hood"...

Well, they tried... :)

Through all the frustration they can not deny that this was relaxing. A lesson well learned!

To heck with the "number of fish", rather count the "number of casts"!

The days end. :The intrepid fishermen (and women) relax before packing the van. Next week (the last week) we fish Wasserman Park. Good bass, pearch, sunnys and pickerel so it should be a good day. If we can get the equipment ready we will gut, clean, cook and eat our catch on this last day.

Our last fishing trip on Week 7

A special thank you to Sherry Kalish, parks director who gave us permission to drive our equipment laden van down to the shore. Having fished this pond for many years and having great success here over the years we all had great expectations for a great day of fishing today!

The low autumn sun cast long shadows and created warm feelings for a season past

Anxious eyes scope out the depths of Naticook Lake. ( a real "Mayberry" moment :) )

While it WAS a great day of "fishing", it wasn't so great a day for "catching". But who could argue with such weather in late October!?

Everyone seemed to have a great time and I just love any excuse to get out doors and near the water any time of the year.

Look up "relaxed" in the dictionary and if you don't see THIS picture, you should...

The sun glazed water casts an eerie light over our intrepid fishermen.

I hope they all remember these moments. I know that I will.

Expectations high with every cast.

Finally, success! Small fish, big smile :)

A day like this helps to create some of the most wonderful photographs.

Sun is getting lower. We're going to have to call it a day soon.

My helper, Chris, does his job making this a very relaxing day on the water. Thanks Chris!

The end of the day (and our fishing class) came far too quickly. But the moment I called "That's it! Everyone bring in their lines!" I heard "Got one!" followed by another "Got One!" Sure enough, two fish in less than two seconds. What a great way to end the day and the fishing season with the Boys & Girls Club.

This concludes the fishing class for this year. We will no doubt have another fishing class in the spring time.

SPECIAL THANK YOU
I would also like to extend a special thank you to Sports Authority on 101A in Amherst, NH
Sports Authority is providing our fishing class a $100 gift card to purchase new and replacement
fishing gear to help us get the most out of this program. After 2 years of heavy use our equipment
is in dire need of repair and replacement. This gift card will go a long way towards having enough
equipment for everyone who signs up for fishing class this coming Spring time!

Thank you Sports Authority!