4-H YOUTH FLY FISHING AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

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Phil Genova Memorial Fund

Check out information on our upcoming Winter 2009 Fly Tying Workshop

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We have found the sport of fly fishing to be the ideal venue in which to encourage youngsters to participate in activities that involve direct contact with nature. Issues of life and death, pollution, ethics, water quality, and environmental stewardship are essential elements of each trip to the lake, stream or seashore.

Unlike the popular misconception, fly fishing is not only for the rich and the elite. Our program successfully mixes children and adults from a diversity of backgrounds, cultures and economic levels who mingle together in an activity that binds them directly with the resource and interests them in relevant environmental issues. Fly fishing has shown itself to be a powerful tool for mutual understanding.

Traditionally fly fishing has been passed along through the time honored mentor/apprentice method. The family and neighborhood structure that encouraged and nurtured a youngster along the path to becoming a caring lifelong angler and steward of the resource has broken down. Without this strong community and family support a youngster may not get the opportunity to have a truly meaningful experience in the natural world. Many obstacles may lie in the road.

Our direct involvement with youngsters and fly fishing over the last ten years has helped us identify and eliminate many of these obstacles. Through the generous support of the fly fishing industry we are able to supply many youngsters with all the equipment and materials needed to enjoy the sport. A cadre of dedicated adult volunteers has been assembled to help these young anglers discover the sport and even more importantly, be supported along the way in their desire to learn more.

Look through the extensive information provided here, bookmark us and check for updates of important information. If you are interested in starting a youth fly fishing education program in your community or wish to contact us to join our efforts please contact me:

4-H Youth Development
Cornell Cooperative Extension
615 Willow Avenue
Ithaca, New York 14850
607-272-2292 Fax: 607-272-7088
met38@cornell.edu