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Getting Kids Involved in Fishing
by Kevin Patton Illinois Bass Pro Chad Morgenthaler, Dennis Heape, and Duke Jenkel have organized a fishing club at Pinckneyville high school that enables students to enjoy and learn about fishing on the water as well as in a classroom. The Pinckneyville Community High School Fishing Club is open to any student enrolled at the school and offers classroom instruction as well as tournament competition. "The emphasis is on teamwork and effort," says Morgenthaler. "Classroom sessions are mandatory for those wishing to compete in club tournaments," he adds. Classes cover topics such as fishing techniques, the proper use of equipment, care of fish, conservation, and safety. Morgenthaler, Heape, and Jenkel serve as "team leaders" during the sessions, but student members have a voice in what they choose to learn about fishing. This year 25 students have participated in club sessions, which included an outing at Pinckneyville City Lake to learn to operate a trolling motor.
Club tournaments are organized by pairing student members in a random drawing. To promote teamwork and cooperation, each competitor is allowed to choose fishing spots and operate the trolling motor for half of the fishing day. "Students do their own work for the tournaments, choosing where they will fish and what techniques they use on their own," Morgenthaler stated. To ensure that everyone learns from the experience, winning anglers are required to reveal what baits and techniques they used to catch fish during the next class session. Adult volunteers provide the boats and accompany teams on the water, where they are in charge of all safety issues. They also measure and weigh each students catch with a portable, digital scale. "We take better care of the fish when they are immediately returned to the water," Morgenthaler noted.
Students provide their own life vests, which must be worn at all times during tournaments, and most of their equipment. Sponsors such as Berkley, Plano, and Maxima have helped by providing club members with equipment such as baits and fishing line. Incentives for tournament competitors include an Angler of the Year plaque, prizes, and the training and information needed to compete in the regional qualifier for the FLW Junior World Championship tournament. Club member Ty Heape won the regional championship in the 16-18 age bracket this year and thus qualified for the championship tournament this fall at Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
The biggest issue in organizing the PHFC has been the time commitment by adult volunteers, according to Morgenthaler. "Community help in providing boats, meeting places, and time commitments is mandatory to making it a success," says Morgenthaler. He adds that another key to success has been scheduling around other school activities and programs, such as sports. Club activities include an upcoming fishing outing to be videotaped with club members and Morgenthaler that will air on Bob Richardson's "Outdoors in the Heartland" fishing show. In addition, there will be a fall meeting for anyone interesting in learning about the PCHS Fishing Club and the model used to create and organize it. Those interested in details or in attending the meeting should email Chad Morgenthaler at: Chad Morgenthaler's web site is located at: |
