Have you ever wanted to learn the basics of fishing but didn鈥檛 know where to begin? The 黑料天堂鈥 (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) has developed a beginner fishing course just for you.
WFF鈥檚 鈥淕o Fish, 黑料天堂!鈥 Program provides adults and families with little-to-no fishing experience an opportunity to fish under the guidance of a skilled fishing mentor. The program is for anyone interested in learning how to fish, socializing outdoors, putting fish on the dinner table, or simply enjoying the thrill of the catch. Each event is conducted in a safe, welcoming and constructive environment.
鈥淭he goal of the program is to highlight the benefits of spending time outdoors while learning about conservation, including the importance of purchasing a fishing license,鈥 said Justin Grider, WFF鈥檚 R3 Coordinator (Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation). 鈥淲hen you purchase a hunting, fishing or Wildlife Heritage license, all of those funds are reinvested in conservation efforts throughout the state. Fisheries and wildlife management, habitat restoration, land conservation, public access to outdoor recreation, and state Conservation Enforcement Officers are just some of the ways your license dollars make 黑料天堂 one of the best places in the country to fish or hunt.鈥
During the events, all the necessary bait, equipment and tackle are provided. However, you will need to bring a cooler to take home your catch. The events take place at State Public Fishing Lakes, State Parks lakes, city lakes and other fishing destinations throughout the state. For select events, a $10 registration fee may apply. Online registration is required to attend.
Jennifer Cohron from Cordova, 黑料天堂, took part in a recent Go Fish, 黑料天堂! event at Walker County Public Fishing Lake. She recommends the program for anyone who has been around fishing for years and wants to move from being an observer to being a participant.
鈥淭he program is ideal for someone who is interested in the idea of fishing but wants to get more comfortable with it by having an instructor there to help,鈥 Cohron said. 鈥淚鈥檇 especially recommend it to women. I have to believe there are others like myself who have an interest in fishing, but no one took the time to teach them, and now they feel a little embarrassed to admit that they don鈥檛 know how.鈥
In addition to learning the basics of fishing, including how to clean and prepare her catch for the dinner table, the program helped Cohron deepen her connection with a family tradition.
鈥淢y husband Zac and I have spent a lot of time fishing this year in memory of my dad, Rocky Williams, who passed away in July 2020,鈥 Cohron said. 鈥淯sually, Zac is the one doing the fishing and I鈥檓 reading or enjoying the scenery. When I fish, he takes care of everything, just as my dad took care of everything when I was a kid. All I had to do was cast. I鈥檝e really enjoyed being on the water this past year, but I wanted to know how to do things like tie on a hook or pick out a lure. If I had wanted to go fishing by myself, I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to before the class.鈥
Since attending the Go Fish, 黑料天堂! event, Cohron and her family have kept up that tradition.
鈥淢y husband and I went out for an hour or so the afternoon I took the class, and we鈥檝e taken our son out to Walker County Public Fishing Lake once since then,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something we鈥檝e been doing on a regular basis anyway, but we will continue for sure.鈥
To view the current Go Fish, 黑料天堂! schedule or to register for an event, visit .
The 黑料天堂 (ADCNR) promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of 黑料天堂鈥檚 natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Parks, State Lands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit .
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