Fishing’s Future to conduct instructor certification class

Most of us have had a mentor at some point in our lives who inspired us, taught us, and delighted in our successes. It’s a wonderful thing, but not everyone is so lucky, especially when it comes to having an outdoor mentor. By becoming a volunteer certified angler instructor through the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s Angler Education program, you’ll not only have an avenue for sharing your passion for angling with others, but you too, could be someone’s mentor. To get you started, a certification course will be held from 2:30-5:30 in 2414 Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center at Kansas State University, on Monday, March 21. Visitors will need a parking permit.

Topics covered will include current fishing regulations, species identification, fishing ethics, equipment, knot-tying, casting, fish habitat, aquatic nuisance species, and conservation practices. In addition to becoming certified, anglers will also receive a sample curriculum and tips for preparing a class.

Participants must be 18 years old and pass a background check prior to certification. Youth between the ages of 12 and 17 can also take the workshop and gain Junior Assistant Angling Volunteer status. This age group must work with a certified instructor when hosting an aquatic education activity, clinic, derby or outreach.

To register for this class, and to learn more, contact Sid Stevenson, Department of Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources at K-State by email, [email protected], or phone at (785) 532-1405; or contact Phil Taunton at (620) 794-5373 or by e-mail at [email protected].