June 3 to 11 has been designated 'National Fishing Week'. This year marks the 22nd year that the week has been celebrated.
In partnership with a number of Government Agencies and Corporate organizations, the >National Fishing Week Steering Committee has done a tremendous job in promoting our sport among the North American public. According to their webpage, "Tens of thousands of volunteers help to organize more than 2,000 family fishing events across the country." I think you would agree that this certainly indicates a huge degree of success on the part of the Steering Community.
In recognition of National Fishing Week, a great number of State and Provincial jurisdictions have agreed to waive the fishing permit requirements for a day or more during the week. What this means is that those who have never fished before have the opportunity to go out, try the sport and discover that they are hooked for life before they have to purchase their fishing licence. As well, there are a good number of special events being held such as the "Youth Fishing Day" held in Minnesota this past Saturday. Activities included flyfishing, electrofishing, and filleting demos, as well as minnow races, fishing learning stations and many inner city kids were bused in to the event. What a great way to introduce kids, who otherwise would probably never have the opportunity to fish in their life, to our great sport!
Of course, Minnesota is not the only State where there are special activities going on this week. You can view a complete State by State listing, compliments of the Fishing Week Steering Committee.
As well as children, there will be special events for women. Most of us think of the typical angler as being male, but of course, this is changing fast as regular visitors to this site know! In fact, according to a recent press release from the Fishing Week Steering Committee, over one-third of the 46 million anglers in the United States are women. There is however still some work to do to convince more women that fishing, flyfishing included of course, is not just a man's sport and in fact, there are many women who are great role models for the flyfishing sport. Names such as Helen Shaw, Joan Wulff, and of course Dame Juliana Berners, the author of the first known flyfishing literature in the English language, come to mind.
Over the next few days, during National Fishing Week, we'll take a look at some of the activities you can become involved in to help promote our sport as well as ensuring the conservation of our fish! Check in daily!
Discussion:
Do you have any special events planned for National Fishing Week? Tell us what you are going to do to celebrate this week in our Flyfishing Forum.
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