Become
a volunteer ice fishing instructor
By BOB HARRIS
Outdoors and Free
Friday, Nov. 17, 2006
I have enjoyed ice fishing for many years. It is a lot of fun and a great way to enjoy a day on the ice with friends, family members and kids. It is also a great way to introduce youngsters and adults into a different world of fishing. For the inexperienced, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s "Let’s Go Fishing Program" includes classes in ice fishing for those who are new to the sport or wish to improve their skills. However, the department’s program is in dire need of more volunteer instructors to help and participate in their ice fishing courses.
As a volunteer ice fishing instructor for the Let’s Go Fishing Program, you’ll have the opportunity to teach ice fishing to both youth and adults. The Let’s Go Fishing Program will hold certification trainings for new volunteer ice fishing instructors on Saturday, December 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Fish and Game headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, in Concord; and on Saturday, December 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Twin Mountain Fish Hatchery, 1450 Route 3 North, in Whitefield. It is only necessary to attend one of the scheduled training classes to become certified as an instructor in this popular, long-standing program.
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to sign up for this free training, readers may call Lisa Collins
at (603) 271-3212, or you can e-mail: acquatic-ed@wildlife.state.nh.us.
In addition, you must print out and return a Let’s Go Fishing
volunteer application form, which can be found on New Hampshire
Fish and Game Department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nh/fishing/letsgo.htm, or you may ask to receive one by mail when you call. Applications must be received by November 27th to reserve your spot in the class. Light refreshments will be served.
The Let’s Go Fishing Program’s ice fishing classes are fun, easy to teach and are becoming more popular every year. The instructor training will cover the ins and outs of the program’s operation, teaching techniques, policies and procedures. It also instructs in how to deal with school teachers and working in the schools, winter pond ecology, what happens under the ice and an over-view of equipment and safety.
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After completing the training, participants have the opportunity to join an existing team of volunteer ice fishing instructors
who present programs across the state. The Let’s Go Fishing
Program also offers basic freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing,
fly-tying, fly-fishing and saltwater fly-fishing classes.
According to Fish and Game, over the past 10 years, literally thousands of children and adults have learned to be safe, ethical and successful anglers. The program is federally funded through
the Sport Fish Restoration Program, a true user-pay, user-benefit program. Your purchase of
fishing tackle, firearms, ammunition, archery equipment and motorboat fuels, along with license sales, helps to fund sport-fish and wildlife restoration in New Hampshire. This, in turn, provides us with the opportunities to enjoy hunting, fishing and other wildlife associated recreations.
Hopefully, this winter will provide us with safe ice conditions and a successful ice fishing
Season.
Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at:
outwriter2@aol.com |
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