Kids Get “Hooked” on “Reel” Nature in the Portland Metro Area
Photo: A partnership between non-profit I’m Hooked Inc. and the Service resulted in a new outreach trailer that aims to teach fishing skills to future anglers. Credit: USFWS
Novice and experienced anglers alike made their way to Henry Hagg Lake in Gaston, OR on June 2nd and 3rd for the 29th annual I’m Hooked Youth and Family Fishing Weekend. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and I’m Hooked, Inc. co-hosted the event, which brought over 1,000 youth and their families out to the lake to fish — including the largest single-day turnout in the history of the event. That day, 24 volunteer boater-anglers took over 450 kids out on the lake for 1-1/2 hour fishing excursion. Families also took advantage of the opportunity to fish from the bank.
Photo: Young nature enthusiasts get hands-on at the activity table during the Hagg Lake event. Credit: USFWS
In addition to building fishing skills, the USFWS/I’m Hooked collaboration has a focus on conservation and positive youth development. Partnership at all levels is the key to carrying out the Hagg Lake event and organizations like Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon Hunters Association as well as businesses like Home Depot and local fishing shops contributed to make this year the most successful yet.
USFWS participation came from staff and volunteers from Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. A new USFWS/I’m Hooked outreach trailer debuted at the event, serving as the base station for a series of skill-building and educational activities, including a practice casting station, a salmon life cycle course, and a macroinvertebrate game. By hosting the practice casting station, a mandatory stop for those who aimed to fish on the lake, the USFWS made contact with a vast majority of the event’s participants
Photo: Wil Warren, founder of I’m Hooked Inc., helps a young angler with casting at the 22nd Annual Tualatin River Bird Festival where the new fishing trailer made its debut in May. Credit: USFWS
The new outreach trailer and the I’m Hooked partnership are on a roll! Find out more about the upcoming events where you can see the trailer and get your fish on here.