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Finding a good place to go fishing can be a daunting barrier to introducing kids to the sport, but once a year the Festus Crystal City Conservation Club solves that problem by allowing young anglers to catch a few during Twin City Days.
The remnants of tropical storm Gordon led to the cancellation or rearrangement of most activities in this year’s celebration, but the club was determined to hold the kids fishing event rain or shine. Member Bill Douglas said they had stocked the lake, bought the snacks and were anxious to give the youngsters a chance.
The Saturday morning deluge was too much, and only a few families showed up, so the club leadership went back to its calendar to look for another date that would be available to share the club’s facilities with young fishermen for the fun of casting and catching.
The club has rescheduled its Hooked on Fishing program from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, at the 14-acre lake off Highway 61 about four miles south of Crystal City. Only kids 16 and under are allowed to fish, and they must be accompanied by an adult.
The concept is about more than just catching fish. The event is meant to draw generations together, with kids fishing alongside Mom and Dad or Grandma and Grandpa. The adults can provide encouragement and helpful hints, but only the children are allowed to fish.
The club provides hot dogs, chips and drinks after the fishing outing. Participants are required to pre-register by calling the club at 636-933-0908 and leaving a message. A return call will provide details about specific lake regulations and bait-use restrictions.
The local club is one of 90 affiliate organizations of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, the statewide non-profit group that advocates for wise use of natural resources and represents state residents on issues of conservation. For more information about CFM visit confedmo.org.
Even though most anglers accumulate a virtual (or actual) ton of equipment to try to lure fish to their lines and landing nets, catching them can be accomplished with just a little bit of the right stuff.
A simple rod-and-reel combo can be found for as little as about $20, but going too cheap can lead to frustration with dependability. The Snoopy or princess poles are great toys, but they are usually reliable for about as long as a toddler’s attention span.
Off-the-shelf combinations are usually filled with well-matched fishing line. While brand is often a matter of personal preference, line size can be a factor in fishing success. The 8- to 10-pound test line standard provides adequate strength for most fishing, but anglers using 4- or 6-pound line will get more bites. They will also break the line more frequently, but it’s a trade off to consider.
Downsizing the terminal tackle can improve fish catching success, too. A No. 6-sized hook is big enough to hold a strong bass, but small enough to fit in a small fish’s mouth. A little bobber provides less resistance to be taken under and allows a smaller sinker attached near the hook to be enough weight to take the bait down to the fish.
A stringer for saving fish as you collect them keeps them alive and fresh for cleaning unless you are practicing catch and release, and a landing net is a nice option for making sure larger catches don’t get released too soon.
A five-gallon bucket with a lid can double as a handy equipment carrier and comfortable seat. A small needle-nosed pliers helps with hook removal or weight pinching, and a small scissors or fingernail clipper are handy for cutting fishing line.
Worms are the standard for live bait, but for those wanting an introduction to artificial lure fishing, rubber worms can be rigged to provide a mostly snag-free option. Small in-line or “safety pin” style spinners are simple to cast and retrieve while attracting a lot of fish attention.
Once you get a tackle box is when you start accumulating your own ton of fishing stuff that you can’t leave home without.
John J. Winkelman is community relations manager at Mercy Hospital Jefferson. If you have news for the Leader’s Outdoor News page, e-mail ogmjohnw@aol.com and you can follow John on Twitter at @johnjwink99.