Free Youth Fishing Day Scheduled Saturday, September 9, As Feature of Pan American Fishing Championship in Hot Springs
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — A special Youth Fishing Day will be held Saturday, September 9, as a feature of the Pan American Bass Fishing Championship in Hot Springs.
“This will be a super chance for kids to get some fishing tips from some of the most knowledgeable anglers in the world,” Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison said Tuesday. “VHS is partnering with USAngling and USA Bass to host this event at Entergy Park on Lake Hamilton. It’s another of the benefits of being the host city for this championship that brings in bass fishing teams from across the world.”
Arrison said the Youth Fishing Day will begin at Entergy Park — 140 Entergy Park Lane — at 9 a.m. and will continue until 2:30 p.m.
“It’s free, and open to kids of all ages,” he said.
The Youth Fishing Day features a variety of educational programs for young anglers, including the International Game Fish Association’s Passport to Fishing Program, which provides a hands-on, interactive method of teaching kids to fish.
Among the skills that will be taught include fishing tackle, fishing knots, fishing regulations, environmental stewardship, casting safety (which includes the flip, pitch and two-hand Jedi cast), benefits of casting accuracy versus casting distance and proper personal flotation device use.
USAngling Youth Education Initiatives are based on the belief that the sport of angling is an important recreational, economic, and social activity on which the public must be educated to pursue in a manner that aligns with USAngling’s mission of promoting responsible, ethical angling practices and environmental stewardship" said Michael Brand, youth program chair with USAngling. He continued, "The USAngling Youth Education Initiatives are to teach youth and family around the nation to fish, to help build the next generation of ethical, conservation-minded anglers, and perhaps inspire the future sport fishing athlete that will represent the United States in World Championship Fishing events.
The Pan American Championship will begin Wednesday, September 6, with a special Bridge Street LIVE concert and welcoming ceremony in the Bridge Street Entertainment District. It will feature fishing legend Jimmy Houston, the pop hits band Manhattan and an appearance by Charlie Evens and two of the characters from the hit TV show “PAW Patrol.” It’s all free and open to the public.
The championship itself will take place on Lake Hamilton, with a practice day September 7 and competition September 8 and 9.
The September 6 event will begin at 5 p.m. with DJ Courier in the Bridge Street Entertainment District.
Manhattan will perform at 7 p.m., and Jimmy Houston will make special appearances. Kids can have their pictures made with the PAW Patrol characters.
There will be food, drinks and vendors. No coolers are allowed. Lawn chairs are welcome, and pets must be on leashes. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.
Find more information at www.hotsprings.org
Visit USAngling at usangling.org
Keep track of USA Bass at: usabass.org
Follow USA Bass on Facebook: facebook.com/usabassorg