UASC and DFG Team Up
DFG Teams Up With United Anglers to Host Santa Monica Pier Fishing Event June 10 Kick-off for the Summer California Fishing Passport Program for Kids"We are very pleased to partner with the Department of Fish and Game to get more people out enjoying fishing in the great outdoors," said Tom Raftican, president of UASC. "This program is grounded in the belief that fishing offers an excellent opportunity to spend quality time with family and create lifelong memories."
The three Kid's Summer Challenge events for the 15 years and younger crowd, who must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, include:
* June 10 - Pier Fishing at the Santa Monica Pier
* July 29 - Trout Fishing in Mammoth -Children's Fishing Festival
* Aug. 21 - Ocean Partyboat Fishing in San Diego
The official Passport Challenge, which begins in January, will use awards and prizes to encourage anglers of all levels to explore the state's full-range of fishing opportunities. The Passport currently lists more than 200 game fish and shellfish species.
"Completing this challenge will not be an easy endeavor and it will likely entail using a variety of different fishing methods along the way," said Carrie Wilson, marine biologist and coordinator of the California Fishing Passport program.
A Passport booklet will be provided for free to anyone who buys a 2007 Sport Fishing License and wishes to take on the Passport Challenge come January. Participants will also be provided with fishing maps and fish identification books to identify a variety of species found in all types of water ways - lakes, rivers, bays and ocean waters. Successful anglers will receive a special passport stamp for each species caught. And the more they travel the state in pursuit of fish and fishing, the more stamps they will earn; along with the opportunity to win bonus prizes depending on the number and types of fish caught.
"The objective of the Passport program is to work with our sportfishing partners to introduce and promote the entire California 'fishing experience' to all ages, skill levels and backgrounds," Wilson said. "Are you up to the Challenge?"
The California Fishing Passport program is the first of its kind in the nation and is supported by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation's Angler's Legacy program (www.AnglersLegacy.org), which challenges avid anglers to "take someone you know out on the water, and give back what you've been given, the great gift of fishing."
