Winter2017

Pennsylvania’s streams, rivers and lakes provide a variety of fishing opportunities all year long.

No matter your age, gender, race, social class or ability, there’s a fishing experience waiting for you.

“Let’s go fishing!” holds a different meaning for everyone. You may think of:

• Catching fish—big, small and different kinds of fish

• Spending time with your family • Catching your own dinner • Playing outside and enjoying nature

That’s why fishing is fun! You choose why you fish, where you fish, what type of fish, when to go and who fishes with you. This PLAY issue provides information to help you begin or continue your fishing journey.

An Adventure for Anyone!Fishing —

A Day of Fishing—Make it an Adventure

Fishing trip tips

A day of fishing is many things. It’s a day of discovery and laughter for youth. For adults, it’s a chance to rediscover the world. Prepare to leave the path, hide behind trees, find salamanders or build snow people.

Before your trip• Play: Practice casting to fun targets.• Plan: Use a Pennsylvania Fish & Boat

Commission (PFBC) online fishing map. Talk about locations to fish. Choose a spot and date to fish.

• Pack: Help pack what you need and what you would like to take on your trip.

Transform your fishing experience

Access to fishing areas is important for good experiences. Find ADA-compliant fishing access piers or areas near you by using PFBC’s online maps at www.fishandboat.com.

Don’t allow a physical disability to stand in your way. Fishing is a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

Need some extra help? There are many types of adaptive equipment to assist you.

What to pack in addition to fishing gear

A 3-in-1 tool is a piece of equipment that can be used to help enhance your fishing experiences.

Henry Lille excited about target casting.

Item Winter/Spring Summer/Fall First Aid Kit Yes Yes Lunch or Dinner Thermos of soup Sandwich/wrap Drink Thermos of cocoa/tea Water/juice Snacks Yes Yes Clothing Extra layer of clothes,

one extra set of clothes and gloves

One extra set of clothes and a towel

Other items Hand warmers Bug spray Extra warm hat and gloves

Sunscreen

Garbage bag Garbage bag

Remember to pack out what you pack in. Keep your fishing spot cleaner than how you found it.

During your trip • Split time between fishing

and exploring. • Have a picnic. • Use your senses. What do you

see, hear, smell or feel? • Take photos.

Family Fishing Programs • Free programs • Instruction, equipment and bait

are provided • No fishing

experience or license needed

Mentored Youth Trout DaysThe PFBC created special days for youth, under the age of 16, to join a mentor

(adult) angler who has a current fishing license and trout permit and go fishing on stocked trout waters one week before the opening days of the regional and statewide trout seasons. See your Pennsylvania Fishing Summary for dates and

more information, or visit www.fishandboat.com/mentoredyouth.htm.

After your trip • Share your favorite part of the trip.

Was it catching fish? Was it finding a salamander?

• Draw a picture or write about your trip.

• Look through trip photos. Choose what you like. Share them with others.

• Based on this trip, begin planning your next adventure.

Families having fun at fishing programs taught by Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Fishing Skills Instructors.

Youth anglers must obtain a Mentored Youth Fishing Permit or Voluntary Youth Fishing License from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission and be accompanied by an adult licensed angler in order to participate.

Spring into fishingIf you have never gone fishing, you may want to

go to a fishing program and learn the basics. Find a PFBC program near you at www.GoneFishingPA.com.

Cannot attend a program? Watch a video on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/PAfishandboat.

Like to read? The PFBC website has lots of information on “Fishing Fundamentals” at www.fishandboat.com.

Where to fishChildren fishing areas, lakes or ponds

are great places to start.

Look for locations that have: • Easy and safe access to the water • Restrooms and shelter • A place to enjoy a picnic • A town nearby for emergencies

Use PFBC’s mobile app to find a location near you at www.pfbc.pa.gov/mobile.htm.

No equipment,no problem

Check out PFBC’s free Fishing Tackle Loaner Sites at www.fishandboat.com. Click on FISH, FISHING FUNDAMENTALS.

Something for everyone

The PFBC and other local organizations also provide assistance for programs geared to anglers who are over the age of 16.

Some of these programs include: • Fly fishing • Fly tying • Ice fishing • Kayak fishing

The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Women’s Introduction to Fly Fishing Program.

The Spring Creek Trout Unlimited Veterans Service

Partnership program teaches families how to tie flies.

Summer is for DiscoveriesSummer is a great time to learn how to fish. You can catch bass, panfish, catfish, trout

and more.

Pennsylvania's Best Fishing Waters

Pennsylvania’s Best Fishing Waters is a program established by PFBC to assist anglers in knowing the prime fishing hotspots within Pennsylvania. The listed waters are intended to increase success and provide convenient access to fishing information. Visit www.PaBestFishing.com.

Jump into Summer Camp

The PFBC assists with several seasonal camps for teenagers.

Wildlife Leadership Academy (PA Brookies and PA Bass)

• www.piceweb.org • 5-day residential camps for youth

ages 14-17

Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp

• www.riverscamp.com • 5-day residential

camp for youth ages 14-17

Holden Price, US Youth Fly Fishing Team member,

practicing on Spring Creek, Centre County.

PA Brookies Academy students visit Tylersville State Fish Hatchery, Clinton County.

Pennsylvania Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp educates youth about coldwater conservation.

www.fishandboat.com

Do you enjoy fishing? If so, someone in your life was a fishing mentor. Fishing mentors can be parents, grandparents, scout leaders, gym teachers or friends. They introduced you to fishing, the equipment needed and the importance of healthy waterways.

New Beginnings

Pass the love of fishing forward. Tell others about PFBC’s Fishing Skills Instructor (FSI) courses. These courses teach adults how to instruct and conduct fishing programs. The programs reach youth, families and other adults.

As an FSI, an adult can: • Promote fishing programs • Borrow PFBC rods, reels and tackle boxes • Get publications for their programs • Get fishing license waivers for adults

attending programs • Get technical support from PFBC region

education staff

For more information, go to www.fishandboat.com.

Father and son enjoy fishing on a Pennsylvania stream.

Elwood Breon, a 90-plus-year-old World War II veteran, with Joe Humphreys. Humphreys is a Navy veteran, a professional fly fishing instructor and a founder of Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Fishing Skills Instructors from Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited and YMCA of Centre County coordinate and conduct fishing programs all year.

Complete the word search below using the 16 words that are highlighted in red throughout this issue of the Winter PLAY.

Go to an outdoor show or fishing expos near you. There are several events that feature fishing and outdoor opportunities during January through March.

You can buy your license, look at the latest equipment, attend a seminar or just enjoy a day out with your family or friends. The PFBC participates in several outdoor shows. Visit our website at www.fishandboat.com for a listing of upcoming outdoor shows.

E R U T N E V D A L S M Z U G O K M B G H O R T P X L P L A N D P T E Z R A R A N A M S O S D W S E N O C X K E N R N H M R A F D C E E D J A E F R E M I S E Q S P M X B I E V S S M S H U A V C P S D I Z H X S C L N A O T H M R B P E H A B M Q C L X J E C G Y S Z P M O U T D O O R E A C S B P A C K T N I V R L G Y X M E P T R O U T X P

Prepare for a great year of fishing

Written by: Amidea Daniel, Youth & Women’s Program Coordinator, and Dee Fisher, Central Region

Outreach & Education CoordinatorEditor: Spring Gearhart

Design and illustrations: MAC DesignPhotos: Amanda Daniel, George Daniel, Andrea

Feeney, Art Michaels, Kristi Niekamp, Judi Sittler, Adam Spangler, Spring Creek TU, Dan VanWinkle and

Wildlife Leadership Academy© Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission

E R U T N E V D A L S M Z U G O K M B G H O R T P X L P L A N D P T E Z R A R A N A M S O S D W S E N O C X K E N R N H M R A F D C E E D J A E F R E M I S E Q S P M X B I E V S S M S H U A V C P S D I Z H X S C L N A O T H M R B P E H A B M Q C L X J E C G Y S Z P M O U T D O O R E A C S B P A C K T N I V R L G Y X M E P T R O U T X P

Answer Key

Outdoor shows