Outdoors Notebook: Group tries to get kids hooked on fishing

The challenge for many youth today is getting them outdoors, and keeping the Game Boys, video games and computers turned off.

Each spring the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation and state Fish and Wildlife offer kids a chance to enjoy and learn about the sport of fishing.

"The reason why we do these events is that nowadays it's tough for kids to have the opportunity to go fishing," said Jim Owens, executive director of the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation, which is based in Renton.

"When I was growing up, catching your first fish was a rite of passage, and a real special time in your life," Owens said. "Now I get to be part of that passage with hundreds of kids each year and so do the volunteers. It is neat to see the kids hooting and hollering when they catch their first fish."

Since the program began in 1996, it has hosted 69 events with more than 44,000 kids participating.

The ponds and lakes where the events are held are stocked with hatchery rainbow trout, and while it is still called fishing, the chances of catching one is good.

For $5, each child gets a Zebco rod and reel to bring home, and a Fishing Kids T-shirt.

Experienced volunteer anglers are on hand to instruct the kids on how to catch their fish.

At each event, there is educational information available, kids can learn water safety, how to identify fish, what to do when you catch a fish, and information about the environment and the natural resources.

Dates: April 15, Klineline Pond in Vancouver, 360-906-6706; April 22, Long's Pond in Lacey, 360-491-0857; April 22, Green Lake in Seattle, 425-251-3202; April 29, Lake Sacajawea in Longview, 360-906-6706; May 6, Clear Lake in Spokane, 509-477-2166; May 6, Columbia Park Pond in Kennewick, 509-585-4293; May 13, Silver Lake in Everett, 425-257-8300; May 20, Sarge Hubbard Pond in Yakima, 509-575-6020; May 20, American Lake in Lakewood, 253-798-4176; June 3, Gene Coulon Park in Renton, 425-430-6700; June 3, Leavenworth Fish Hatchery in Wenatchee, 509-663-0740; June 10, Cascade Park in Moses Lake, 509-766-9240; and June 17, Gilchrist Pond in Colfax, 509-397-6290. Details: 425-251-3202 or www.castforkids.org.

• Milton Love, a People for Puget Sound researcher, will discuss his studies of rockfish off the Pacific Coast at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Seattle REI store, 222 Yale Ave. N. Cost is $8 advance and $10 at the door. Details: www.pugetsound.org.

• The Washington Butterfly Association meets at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St. in Seattle. Ian Young and Mary Maxwell Young will discuss their trip to Central America titled "Pura Vida: Bushwacking in the Bosques of Central America." Details: 206-364-4935 or www.naba.org/Chapters/nabaws.

• The Northend Bass Club meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Crystal Creek Café, 22620 Bothell-Everett Highway in Canyon Park. Details: 206-789-4259 or e-mail Gary Millard at glmillard@comcast.net.

• The Sekiu Chamber of Commerce Salmon Derby is April 8-9. Cost is $20. Largest salmon is worth $1,000. Details: 360-963-2311 or www.sekiu.com.

• South Seattle Community College is offering a beginning sea kayaking course 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and April 15, which teaches basic skills and concepts needed for day trips. Cost is $299. There is also beginning whitewater kayaking 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 9 and 16 on the Snoqualmie River. Cost is $299. Details: 206-764-5339 or www.LearnAtSouth.org.

• The sailing vessel Maple Leaf is offering spring wildlife viewing trips and stopovers in British Columbia's Gulf Islands. Trip dates are April 5-10 and April 14-19. Cost is $1,550, and includes accommodations, meals, wine and shore excursions. Details: 888-599-5323 or www.MapleLeafAdventures.com.

• John Hansen, with Outdoor Emporium, is conducting a halibut and bottomfishing seminar at the Eastside Puget Sound Anglers meeting, at 7 p.m. on April 19 at North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave. N.E. Details: 425-562-9180.

• The Orvis four-week beginning fly-tying school starts Wednesday. Noted fly-tier George LeBlanc will conduct the class, which covers basic techniques and essential skills needed to tie streamers, wets and dry flies. Cost is $100. The Orvis beginning fly-fishing school starts today. Expert instructors will teach how to fly cast, master essential knots and equipment, as well as stream entomology at a local fishing spot. Cost is $185. Details: 425-452-9138.

• Northwest Fly Anglers offers seven-week beginning fly-casting classes at 6:30 p.m. starting April 11 at the Green Lake casting pier. Cost is $35. Details: 206-706-8683.

• The Washington Fly Fishing Club's six-week class for beginning fly-casters starts Thursday at Green Lake. Cost is $40. Details: 206-542-4623.

Mark Yuasa: 206-464-8780 or myuasa@seattletimes.com