National 4-H Sportfishing Leader’s Guide (draft version)

National 4-H Curriculum:
Fishing 1 - Take the Bait
Fishing 2 - Reel in the Fun
Fishing 3 - Cast into the Future
Fishing for Adventure Helper’s Guide

Sportfishing Volunteer Training/Advanced Sportfishing Training
Contact:
Dr. Ron Howard, Extension 4-H and Youth Development Specialist
ra-howard@tamu.edu 979-845-1214
Volunteer leaders and junior leaders are encouraged to participate in both basic and advanced training in this discipline area. While we realize that sportfishing is a single topic, we have divided it into convenient portions to make training easier. We have materials to support angling skills (tackle and tactics along with release, killing, preparation and storage and cooking), aquatic ecology (the science of fishing), fishing heritage (history folklore, collections, stories, conflict resolution and more), tackle crafting (lure making, fly tying, jig casting, jig painting and dressing, soft plastics, rod building, sewing projects, woodworking projects, and PVC pipe projects for anglers). Using a team approach permits a county to form a functional group with a broad array of skills to convey to youth.

Texas 4-H Sportfishing Workshops
Contact:
Dr. Ron Howard, Extension 4-H and Youth Development Specialist
ra-howard@tamu.edu 979-845-1214
Adult leaders receive two days of valuable training in a given discipline with hands-on techniques for program delivery. Each element is taught for the full time, so it is best to bring at least four people to cover all disciplines. Each discipline is a separate session, so only one can be taken by any person during a single workshop.

Golden Bonefish Tournament
Contact:
Dr. Ron Howard, Extension 4-H and Youth Development Specialist
ra-howard@tamu.edu 979-845-1214
An annual fishing tournament for all youth and adults in the Sportfishing or Field and Stream projects focuses on a common, little used and grossly undervalued species, common carp. Adults enter for $10 and young people for $1 for the year, and may enter as many fish as they wish in the tournament. An entry form with requirements is available electronically from the 4-H office. Equipment, water body type, and line strength classes, as well as age classes, are available.