Founding Sponsors:
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Fly
Fishing Jeff Buchheit of Smith’s Sport Store sponsored a spring fly fishing event for 6 matches from Elk and Mckean Counties. This was a match for a day activity and interest from the outdoor community was terrific with 10 outdoor mentors and instructors in attendance. To begin the day, “Littles” learned about stream ecology, habitat and stewardship from an experienced fly fisherman. They discovered up close the diversity of aquatic life inhabiting a good quality stream and their importance in the food chain that includes a fly fishermen or women. After an ecology lesson, “Littles” received instruction on the art of casting a fly rod and imitating insects. From land to water, “Littles” were afforded the opportunity to try a hand at their newly acquired skills on a private pond in Cameron County. Learning important outdoor ethics including catch and release and using barbless hooks, many youth were successful in hooking a fish as well as bringing it to shore. They did a great job considering the youth had never fly fished before. Once the fish were in hand, they were able to see the characteristics of rainbow trout and sunfish. These youth will be able to advance their skills and interests in future activities currently being planned by the enthusiastic sponsors, outdoor mentors and BBBS staff. Based on reviews, everyone will be sharing some great fish stories for years to come. A special thanks to all of the sponsors and partners that made the above programs possible: Carl Loeffler, Jeff Bucheit of Smith Sport Store, Kenny Schwentner, Alan Schwentner, Jeff Wehler, and all the “Bigs” (Jeff Wonderly, Wes Pire, Jamie Pistner, Tom Spence, TJ Nesbitt, Leon Blashock and Grant White), and our national partners RMEF and NSSF. An array of outdoor activities in several regions of PA are planned for 2004 and include hiking, camping, nature photography, sporting clay shooting event, firearm safety, lots more fishing, hunter education, fall turkey hunt, canoeing, archery, nature activities and more. Pennsylvania BBBS is looking forward to the road ahead and expanding this program throughout the state. For more information on any of these activities or the Pennsylvania Program contact Michele Richards at (570)458-5227 phone/fax or naturecorp@enter.net.
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