Projects

We have some details as to how we may assist the Kiwanis with their Kids Fishing Day event on SATURDAY, APRIL 21. We specifically need someone to instruct kids on:

· Fish facts (body parts, differences in species, what they eat, where they hang out, etc.)

· Fishing Safety (how to remove a hook, how not to get hooked, bank/water considerations, sunburn, critters, etc)

· Fishing equipment (specifically spin-cast – how components work and basics of how to use)

· Casting/fishing techniques (spin-cast equipment - how to cast and retrieve the lure/bait, how to set a hook, and how to retrieve a fish)

We would like to have about six people to handle the above areas of instruction. The kids would be broken down into groups and moved through different instruction stations. Efficiency and movement would be prime considerations and teams of two people per station would probably expedite the process. The instructors could then act as fishing guides after the instruction. That’s the real fun part - besides eating : )

The list above was provided by the Kiwanis. In addition to the functions above, someone is all set to do a bit of conservation/ecology. So, TU is being to provide the “how to safely fish for what” parts of the program.

If you can help, please e-mail Dick Vipperman at dickvipp@aol.com or call 540 772 0470. Believe me, you will have a ball!

Further specific functions will be defined as the day comes closer, but I would like to wrap up these functions as soon as possible. Please contact me ASAP.

For further details refer to the earlier post on this web site and future postings as requirements become known. Let’s show the kids that Chapter 308 can do a first class job.

Dick Vipperman

FISHING DAY WITH THE KIWANIS - April 21, 2007

This is an EARLY notification that we have again been invited to assist the Kiwanis with their annual Fishing Day with the Kiwanis. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, April 21 at the Baptist Children’s Home in Salem . There will be a rain date in case of inclement weather.

The Kiwanis will stock a pond on the Baptist Children’s Home property with trout a few days before the event. Then, on the day of the event, underprivileged kids from several youth organizations will be bussed in for a half day of instruction, fishing, and picnicking. Most of the kids are under 10 years old, and for most of them, this will be their first fishing experience. Once the event is over, the kids will be taken back, with their fish, to their sponsoring organizations.

The primary activities that we will be involved in will be to provide some basic fishing instruction to the kids, to assist them as they fish, and provide some fish cleaning services. As we found out last year, this makes for a really fun day.

To give you some idea as to how the event is scheduled, the tentative agenda is as follows:

8:00 - 9:00 am     Preparation and setup
9:00 - 10:00 am     Children arrive, register, and go receive instruction 10:00 - 12:00 Kids fish
12:00   - 1:00         Picnic and awarding of certificates
1:00                       Children go home

A great lunch will be provided for all volunteers and there will probably be some hugs from the kids, especially the ones who catch fish.

So, mark your calendar and as the date approaches, more details will be provided. We will be doing signups as we get closer to April.

If you have questions call or e-mail Dick Vipperman at 772-0470 or dickvipp@aol.com

NOTE: As we discovered last year, this is a great couples activity. My wife, who does not fish, came along and she had a ball. She escorted kids from our group to the cleaning station with their catch while I worked with the others as they were fishing. We made a great team. So, get your spouse to come with you. Never let it be said that you never take her/him anywhere! Dick Vipperman

ROANOKE RIVER STOCKING - JANUARY 30, 2006 - Both Roanoke River Special Regulations areas will be restocked on Monday. January 30. Persons interested in assisting the DGIF personnel with this project should be at either the Green Hill picnic shelter by the river or at the Colorado Street Bridge at 9:00 am. Boots or waders would be helpful for the Green Hill Park activity.

ROANOKE RIVER CLEANUP - APRIL 1, 2006 - The annual spring Green Hill Park Roanoke River Cleanup will be conducted in concert with the Roanoke Clean Valley Council's Clean Valley Day. By aligning our activity with the much larger CVC activity, we will take advantage of the added publicity and join in on the festivities and food that will be provided after the cleanup. Further details will be available soon.

TROUT HERITAGE DAY - APRIL 1, 2006 - The Franklin County Trout Heritage Day and kids fishing rodeo will be held at the Waid Recreational Area. Trout Unlimited will again have two people man a booth at this fun event. Food and festivities abound. Yes, this is the same day as the Green Hill Park Roanoke River cleanup, but there should be no problem handling both.

PROJECT IDEAS WELCOMED!!