Fishing News - 11/30/01
MAKE CHRISTMAS MERRY FOR THE YOUNG ANGLER IN YOUR FAMILY
PRACTICAL GIFT ADVICE FOR PARENTS
KETCHUM, OK -- Young people often ask Santa to bring them fishing tackle -- rods, reels, bobbers, line, hooks and lures. Parents, particularly those who are not anglers themselves, might wonder. Is their child old enough to fish? Is the fishing tackle safe, or age-appropriate?
Hooked on Fishing International (HOFI), which annually sanctions more than
700 Kids All-American Fishing Derbies across the U.S., has prepared a few tips
for parents and Santa.
* The ideal starter fishing set for kids is a "combo" package with a
matching rod and spin-cast reel. The youngest little anglers love to learn on
rod and reel sets endorsed by their favorite cartoon character.
* Will your child be able to cast the rod and reel? This depends on the child,
of course, but HOFI recommends that you go ahead and authorize Santa to put it
under the tree. Like a child grows into a pair of jeans, yours will learn to use
the rod and reel and eventually cast like a pro. A shorter rod is easier to
handle than a long rod and a good rule of thumb is that the rod should be no
taller than the child.
* Another great gift idea is a personal tackle box for your young angler,
especially one that’s pre-loaded with sinkers, bobbers, plastic minnows, a
stringer and such.
* And, for the older child with more advanced skills, a new lure can make great
a stocking stuffer.
* To make sure Santa brings the exact item or items on your child's list, take
the child to a well-stocked fishing department, like Wal-Mart's, so the young
person in your family can point out the items he or she wants Santa to bring.
Gordon Holland, HOFI executive director, cited a recently released study from the Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association. Between 1990 and 2000, according to "Teens & Sports in America", an average of 6.5 million children from 12 to 17 participated annually in freshwater fishing, making fishing the most popular outdoor activity with teens. "We still have a lot of work to do," said Holland. "The SGMA report notes that the next big bulge of consumers -- more than 70 million -- are under the age of 18, which means we will need to introduce the fishing experience to lots of new kids in the years to come."
"We salute all of the host organizations who have made our kids fishing derby program the biggest fishing event for kids in the country. They are the ones who should take credit for bringing freshwater fishing to this level of popularity among teenagers," continued Holland.
Using an all-in-one kit provided by HOFI, parks and recreation departments, civic groups like Optimists and Kiwanis clubs, and many federal and state agencies including the U. S. Forest Service, host these derbies in the spring and summer months. The derby kit includes a helpful guidebook, banner, posters, entry forms for several nationwide contests, goodies for the kids, and lots of prizes including a tackle box and two reel and rod combos, and plenty of product samples from the sponsors.
HOFI is issuing its last call for adult groups to reserve a kit to organize an event in 2002. To order an information/application brochure online, go to www.kids-fishing.com. Organizations may also receive additional information by contacting HOFI at info@kids-fishing.com or in writing, addressing the envelope to Hooked On Fishing International, P O Box 660, Ketchum, OK 74349. Requests to host 2002 events must be received by December 31, 2001.
The 2002 season of the Kids All-American Fishing Derby will mark the sixteenth year that Hooked on Fishing International has sanctioned the celebrated youth program with the support of America's top companies, led by title sponsor Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Sponsoring brands include Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Southwest Airlines, Fujifilm, Dubble Bubble Bubble Gum, Laker by Jadico, Trilene, Eagle Claw, Zebco, Berkley PowerBait, and FishingWorld.com..
