PROJECT FISH COMES TO MICHIGAN
There is a
lot to be learned in a short weekend or a few 3 hour sessions of
training. Project F.I.S.H. (Friends Involved in Sportfishing Heritage) will
be in Michigan communities to educate interested teachers and
volunteers on the fine art of fishing and the importance of caring for
Michigan's vital aquatic resources. Each training session will have the
same theme "Let's get kids to care for our aquatic resources by
learning to fish".
Project F.I.S.H.
is a mentor based community supported program that will involve many
partners including schools, 4-H, sportfishing organizations, and
mentoring groups within the community. Project F.I.S.H. is a Michigan State
University, Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation, and
Resource Studies (CARRS) education program in cooperation with
the Great Lakes Fishery Trust, the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources, Michigan State University Extension and Michigan United
Conservation Clubs. Our goal in Michigan communities is to educate
interested teachers and volunteers with our very exciting and hands on
activities and lessons and leave them with the materials and resources
to get kids excited about fishing. Here are the main components of
Project F.I.S.H.
Michigan Aquatic Ecology:
Learn
about the things that make our aquatic ecosystems tick by using some
very interesting activities involving our Great Lakes watersheds,
invertebrates and neat sampling experiments designed to get you
INVOLVED. Participants will be given a Pond and Stream Safari education
kit for use in their programs. Additional resources and contacts will
be given to teachers for follow up and continued support.
People and Fish: "How
many fish are in that pond and what effect do I have on
them?" These are the types of questions that will come up in this fish
management and ethics session. What is the difference between an ethic and a regulation? You'll learn this as
well as come up with your own code of ethics. You may learn more about
a person by exploring their tackle box. Find out about Great Lakes
issues and human involvement, like commercial vs. sportfishing,
allocation and game laws. You may even say "hmm" a few times. Catch a
fish, put it on your shirt, permanently!
Tackle Crafting:
This session will get you making the equipment you can use to catch
fish. You will use what you learned in aquatic ecology to reproduce an
artificial tool for your
attempt at catching fish. Fly tying, jig making, snelling hooks and creating
worm/crawler harness are
only a few ingredients of this part of Project F.I.S.H. . Each participant
will be given the materials for making harnesses and the knowledge to
make these and other look-alikes. In addition, resources for expertise
and partners will be given to all participants. This class is a lot of
fun.
Angling Skills:
This class is the bread and butter. How do I use this fishing pole? Pop can casting
and basic
skills will lead to proficiency with a variety of rod and reel types. Learn how to catch bass in your
backyard and
receive the game to teach you and your youth. You will also find the
sources of materials to get kids actively involved with fishing, and
they can do it in their own backyard. Take home a fishing rod for
inspiration and a learning/teaching tool.
During your
Project F.I.S.H. training, you will be introduced to a variety of
individuals and organizations in your area to call on for assistance
and expertise. Don't miss this chance to become involved in introducing
this education style to your community.
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