04-28-2005, 05:00 PM
MAY FISHING FESTIVALS FOR FAMILIES
Looking for a way to spend some quality time with your family in the great outdoors? Try a fishing clinic near you! A recent survey conducted by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation found that 35% of all Americans said fishing and boating are the best ways to spend quality time with their families. 87% of those surveyed think fishing and boating have a positive effect on family relationships. 90% of Americans said that fishing and boating help to reduce the stress in their lives.
MassWildlife's Angler Education Program has teamed up with other agencies, municipalities, organizations and businesses to provide free fishing opportunities and loaner equipment for beginning anglers of all ages. Learn to tie a knot, identify a fish and cast a line with MassWildlife volunteers who will loan you fishing equipment if you don't have your own gear. Current fishing festivals and phone contacts are:
May 1--Horn Pond Family Fishing Festival, Woburn—This festival is designed to introduce curious or beginning anglers of all ages who have an interest in learning about fishing. On the shores of Horn Pond at the public boat ramp, cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. No equipment is needed, but if you have your own, bring it along! 9 AM – 1 PM The festival is co-sponsored by Decathlon USA and the Woburn Elks. For more information contact: Jim Lagacy, Angler Education 508/792-7270 x109.
May 7—Coe’s Pond Kids Derby, Worcester— This festival is for beginning anglers of ages 4-14 who have an interest in learning about fishing. Meet at the Mill Street Public Beach, cast a line, learn about fish, ethics, and fishing equipment. MassWildlife is providing equipment and staff, but if you have your own rod and reel, bring it along! 8 AM - 11AM for fishing; prizes and raffles drawn afterwards. The event is co-sponsored by the Worcester Fish & Game Association and the Coe’s and Patch’s Pond Watershed Association. For more information contact: Mike Moss 508/865-4828.
May 14—Day of Fun, Fishing & Learning, Hadley—This fishing event is takies place at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office, located off the junction of Rtes 9 and 116 in Hadley. Hands-on stations will include information about fly tying, how to cast, how your rod works, and baiting a hook. A wildlife and nature photography exhibit will also be on display. All activities are accessible to people with disabilities. The first 100 kids to register get a free fishing t-shirt. Prizes for various sized fish caught will be available. Equipment is on loan from MassWildlife, but if you have your own, bring it along! Anglers 15 or older must have a fishing license. This event is sponsored by the National Wildlife Refuge, MassWildlife, Wal-Mart, Michael’s Wholesale Bait and the UMass/Amherst Center for Sustainable Aquaculture. For more information, call the US Fish and Wildlife Service 413/253-8200. Deaf and hard of hearing may call the Federal Relay Service at 1/800-877-8339.
May 22—Five Mile Pond Family Fishing Festival, Springfield— This festival is designed to introduce curious or beginning anglers of all ages who have an interest in learning about fishing. Meet on the shores of Five Mile Pond at the Boston Road entrance, cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment from MassWildlife Angler Education volunteers and others. No equipment is needed, but if you have your own, bring it along! 9 AM - 2PM The festival is in cooperation with the Pine Point Community Council and the Springfield Parks and Recreation Department. For more information contact: Jim Lagacy, Angler Education 508/792-7270 x109.
May 28—Watson’s Pond Family Fishing Festival, Taunton— This festival is designed to introduce curious or beginning anglers of all ages who have an interest in learning about fishing. Meet on the shores of Watson’s Pond at the city park, cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. No equipment is needed, but if you have your own, bring it along! 10 AM - 2PM The festival is in cooperation with the Taunton Mayor’s Office and Taunton Fish Wardens. For more information contact: Jim Lagacy, Angler Education 508/792-7270 x109.
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Looking for a way to spend some quality time with your family in the great outdoors? Try a fishing clinic near you! A recent survey conducted by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation found that 35% of all Americans said fishing and boating are the best ways to spend quality time with their families. 87% of those surveyed think fishing and boating have a positive effect on family relationships. 90% of Americans said that fishing and boating help to reduce the stress in their lives.
MassWildlife's Angler Education Program has teamed up with other agencies, municipalities, organizations and businesses to provide free fishing opportunities and loaner equipment for beginning anglers of all ages. Learn to tie a knot, identify a fish and cast a line with MassWildlife volunteers who will loan you fishing equipment if you don't have your own gear. Current fishing festivals and phone contacts are:
May 1--Horn Pond Family Fishing Festival, Woburn—This festival is designed to introduce curious or beginning anglers of all ages who have an interest in learning about fishing. On the shores of Horn Pond at the public boat ramp, cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. No equipment is needed, but if you have your own, bring it along! 9 AM – 1 PM The festival is co-sponsored by Decathlon USA and the Woburn Elks. For more information contact: Jim Lagacy, Angler Education 508/792-7270 x109.
May 7—Coe’s Pond Kids Derby, Worcester— This festival is for beginning anglers of ages 4-14 who have an interest in learning about fishing. Meet at the Mill Street Public Beach, cast a line, learn about fish, ethics, and fishing equipment. MassWildlife is providing equipment and staff, but if you have your own rod and reel, bring it along! 8 AM - 11AM for fishing; prizes and raffles drawn afterwards. The event is co-sponsored by the Worcester Fish & Game Association and the Coe’s and Patch’s Pond Watershed Association. For more information contact: Mike Moss 508/865-4828.
May 14—Day of Fun, Fishing & Learning, Hadley—This fishing event is takies place at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office, located off the junction of Rtes 9 and 116 in Hadley. Hands-on stations will include information about fly tying, how to cast, how your rod works, and baiting a hook. A wildlife and nature photography exhibit will also be on display. All activities are accessible to people with disabilities. The first 100 kids to register get a free fishing t-shirt. Prizes for various sized fish caught will be available. Equipment is on loan from MassWildlife, but if you have your own, bring it along! Anglers 15 or older must have a fishing license. This event is sponsored by the National Wildlife Refuge, MassWildlife, Wal-Mart, Michael’s Wholesale Bait and the UMass/Amherst Center for Sustainable Aquaculture. For more information, call the US Fish and Wildlife Service 413/253-8200. Deaf and hard of hearing may call the Federal Relay Service at 1/800-877-8339.
May 22—Five Mile Pond Family Fishing Festival, Springfield— This festival is designed to introduce curious or beginning anglers of all ages who have an interest in learning about fishing. Meet on the shores of Five Mile Pond at the Boston Road entrance, cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment from MassWildlife Angler Education volunteers and others. No equipment is needed, but if you have your own, bring it along! 9 AM - 2PM The festival is in cooperation with the Pine Point Community Council and the Springfield Parks and Recreation Department. For more information contact: Jim Lagacy, Angler Education 508/792-7270 x109.
May 28—Watson’s Pond Family Fishing Festival, Taunton— This festival is designed to introduce curious or beginning anglers of all ages who have an interest in learning about fishing. Meet on the shores of Watson’s Pond at the city park, cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. No equipment is needed, but if you have your own, bring it along! 10 AM - 2PM The festival is in cooperation with the Taunton Mayor’s Office and Taunton Fish Wardens. For more information contact: Jim Lagacy, Angler Education 508/792-7270 x109.
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