If you know a family member, friend, neighbor, student, etc. aged 12-16, who wants to learn how to fish for freshwater trout and other species, Fox Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited (FVTU) has a great opportunity this summer.
Every summer WITU holds a Youth Fishing Camp at beautiful Pine Lake Camp located approximately 9 miles south of Waupaca, WI. The camp is first-come, first-served and caters to a maximum of 20 campers. FVTU is seeking to sponsor a camper and will cover the $250 cost that includes all lodging, meals, and materials (rods, reels, tackle – flies, spinners, & live bait).
This year’s camp is scheduled from July 19th to July 22nd. Check-in is open on Thursday July 19th from 1pm – 3pm and pick-up is Sunday July 22nd from 1pm – 1:30pm. All campers will stay in the main retreat facility where accommodations include amenities such as bedding and towels, etc. Campers will need to bring suitable clothing including a hat, jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellant, and personal hygiene products. A liability release will be provided and must be signed by a parent or guardian. Waders are helpful but not required. Pine Lake also has a swimming area with lifeguard supervision, so you may want to pack a bathing suit as well.
The camp will focus on fishing safety, ethics and sportsmanship, and will help the campers develop necessary fishing skills using both conventional and fly-fishing tackle. Additionally, the program will emphasize Trout Unlimited’s mission to conserve, protect, and restore North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds so future generations of children can enjoy healthy fisheries in their home waters. All campers will be assigned mentors to insure every youth has someone they can go to in case of any questions or concerns while at camp.
Activities include:
– Aquatic insects and invasive species
– Spinning gear and casting techniques
– Rigging and casting fly rods
– Field trip to a local stream with a Wisconsin DNR crew
– Electro-shocking demonstration
– Stream restoration
– Water monitoring
– Gear demonstrations (vests, packs, gadgets, supplies)
– Open fishing time on Pine Lake
– Fly tying
– Conservation presentations
– Live bait gear and techniques
– Sportsmanship & ethics
– Techniques to locate places that hold fish
– Spinning equipment, lures and strategies to catch fish
– Spin and fly casting on the water
– Casting contests
– On-stream demos and fishing with one-on-one guide/instructor
– Presentation of certificates, awards and prizes
Interested? The camp is open to both boys and girls and mentors are assigned accordingly. If you want to be FVTU’s camper and enjoy a wonderful experience this summer at Pine Lake Camp, please prepare a written paragraph (no more than a single page) answering the question: “Why I want to go to Wisconsin Trout Unlimited Youth Camp?” Send your submission to Nate Ratliff, President – FVTU at the following email address: NRatliff@new.rr.com no later than Friday May 4th. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of Chapter members and the winner will be notified by Friday May 25th – don’t forget to provide an email address or phone number so we can notify the winning youth.
I look forward to hearing from our 2018 Youth Camper….
Nate Ratliff Graeme Hodson
President – FVTU Youth Coordinator – FVTU