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Planning for the 2009 Kiwanis Kids Fishing Day is pretty well set. If you are not familiar with this fun event, let me tell you a little about it.

The Roanoke Kiwanis conduct an annual fishing derby and cookout for disadvantaged children. For many of the children this will be their first attempt at the sport that we so take for granted. For the past three years Chapter 308 has supported the Kiwanis in their efforts by assisting them in conducting short pre-fishing educational programs, by serving as pond side guides, and by cleaning and packaging fish to be taken home by the children. Once we finish with the fishing we join with the Kiwanis, chaperones, and kids in a cookout. The event is held in very comfortable surroundings and is really a “feel good” event.

Chapter members really make a difference in helping out with this event. We have significantly improved the adult to child ratio so the children can enjoy the fishing much more. Every TU member who has participated has really expressed their pleasure in working with the kids and almost always come back the next year. Why don’t YOU join us this year?

Contact Dick Vipperman to sign up for the event. We need a pretty accurate headcount for food planning purposes.

Dick can be reached at 540 772 0470 or dickvipp@aol.com

(Tentative schedule)

Time Kiwanis Kids’ Fishing Day is Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the Virginia Baptist Children’s Home in Salem from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We should arrive no later than 8:45am that day.

Directions The directions to VBCH are going west on Main Street in Salem, turn right on Broad Street at the Farmers’ Market, go about ¼ mile, turn right on Carrollton, go about a block and turn left on Red Lane, then look to your left for the dirt road that goes down into the ball field. Park on the ball field where the other cars are.

Schedule The planned schedule is 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. – preparation and setup / 9:00 – 9:30 buses arrive, kids and chaperones register, organize groups with guides / 9:30-ish – 3 to 4 minute instruction in five areas / 9:50-ish – groups walk to pond with guides to get rods at shed / 10:00 to approximately noon – kids fish / 12:00 noon – picnic and certificates / 1:00 – kids board buses and we begin cleanup.

Teaching station instructors, assistants, and group guides

Five 3 or 4 minute instruction areas are:

Trout Unlimited A - Fish Facts – just basics about body parts, sharp fins, where they hide, taking the hook out, etc.

Trout Unlimited B - Fishing Equipment – how you hold and handle it, what those buttons are for, etc.

Trout Unlimited C - Casting Techniques – emphasize style and safety for others

Trout Unlimited D - Safety Issues – remind again about sharp hooks, sharp fins, careful casting, slippery banks, etc.

Trout Unlimited E - Conservation and Fishing Ethics – caring for the fish and the environment

We will break the kids down into small manageable groups listed above for individualized help and better supervision. The instructors and assistants will also be asked to be the fishing guides who take the kids to the pond and help them get rods, bait hooks, untangle lines, etc. This is low-key, practical information. Teaching skills not required.

Teaching (Bring visual aids if you wish – not required)

Fish Guides (Bring pliers or other fishing tools)

Cleaning/packaging of fish for kids to take home (Bring sharp knife)