By Adam Donnelly

Lac Le Jeune hosts final ‘Learn to Fish’ workshop of the summer

Aug 29, 2016 | 1:26 PM

KAMLOOPS — British Columbia has some of the best freshwater fishing in the world. The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC’s mandate is to ensure things stay that way, through conservation, education, and research. One of the education programs the society runs is a Learn to Fish program, designed to teach young anglers how to fish responsibly. This weekend, the final Learn to Fish workshop of the summer was held at Lac Le Jeune Provincial Park.

WATCH: Full report by Adam Donnelly

Standing on a dock, casting your line out and hoping for a bite. There’s something about fishing that connects people to nature, and becomes a way of life. At least, that’s the goal of these Learn to Fish Workshops.

“It… promotes getting anglers and fishers – especially kids – out there, and seeing what fishing about,” Learn to Fish Instructor Madison McGregor explained. “[It’s] a fun activity to get people to go outside and do during the summer.”

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The Learn to Fish program is an initiative of the BC Freshwater Fisheries Society, and aims to teach youngsters the right way to go out and give fishing a try.

“We thought it would be a great thing to do for the day,” says Greg Filek, who was out with little Miles. “We were out here last weekend. He had a lot of fun here then, so we thought we’d try it again.”

Madeline Dangerfield figured the program was a good way to get started: “If you don’t know how, you’ll probably get [your line] tangled, and not have much fun.” When asked if she was having fun fishing, she replied with a nod: “Yup.”

The program teaches anglers some basic rod and tackle skills, as well as proper fish identification, and how to handle a fish if you manage to land one.

 “Handling the fish is pretty important,” McGregor explained. “It’s fun to do, [the kids] love seeing a fish, and holding it, and get really excited.”

The anglers-to-be get a tutorial in proper casting technique, then get to bait their hooks and try for the real thing. After many casts, no trout were hooked Saturday.

Despite the lack of success, the hope is these young anglers have been themselves hooked, and make fishing a part of their lives.