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Leaders sought for 4-H sportfishing programWyoming A youth development specialist for the Wyoming 4-H Program is fishing for volunteers, hoping those interested in angling will take the bait. All clichés aside, Warren Crawford is hoping there are enthusiasts in Wyoming who like fishing so much they're willing to teach youths. He's trying to build 4-H sportfishing, a relatively new program. The program entails fishing the state's great lakes and streams, but there's an educational element, too. "There's been a lot of interest on the youth side," said Crawford, in the Wyoming State 4-H Office in the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture. "But there is still a lot of misunderstanding of what the sportfishing project entails. There is a whole lot to it." Volunteer leaders for the project are woefully inadequate compared to youth interest. Becoming a sportsfishing club leader might have been inevitable for Kerry Grande, manager of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Jackson National Fish Hatchery, and his co-leader, Jay Buchner, a fishing guide in the Jackson area and a member of Fly Fishing Team USA. Grande's son, Jacob, started in 4-H with rabbit projects then moved to the archery program. Mary Martin, a UW Cooperative Extension Service educator serving Teton, Lincoln and Sublette counties, asked Grande if he would be interested in becoming a sportfishing club leader when the project started. He and Buchner have led the club for four years. "I started because my son was interested in it, and it's good, quality time to spend with him," said Grande. "But I've been fly tying and fishing since I was 17, and Jay has been doing it even longer than I have. It's kind of fun to get the kids involved, and it gets them out from behind a computer." There are four components to the program: angling skills, tackle crafting, aquatic ecology and fisheries management. "Angling teaches them to cast and to learn about the components of spin, bait and fly casting," said Crawford. "The 4-Hers make their flies and lures in tackle crafting. In aquatic ecology, members gain an understanding of aquatic insects so they are able to match the insect with the lure they are trying to imitate." The water quality section teaches 4-Hers what fish species can live in what bodies of water. Stocking rates and the need for regulations are explained in the fisheries management section. Besides the enjoyment of sharing a fond activity, Grande and Buchner see a growth effect on the members. "He and I both see a spark," said Grande. "It kind of kicks in." He talked about one member of the club who had always been meek and very shy but this year made his first presentation before judges. "He wouldn't have done that before," said Grande, who also talked about other members showing growth. "You can see them come out of their shells. What we try to do is get the older ones to teach the younger ones," he said. "It works out very well, especially the ones who have been in there awhile." Crawford is hoping more adults will step forward as volunteers for the state's youths. A training day for sportfishing leaders is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 23 in Casper. The workshop is at the UW CES Agricultural Resource and Learning Center, 2011 Fairgrounds Road. There is a $10 fee that can be donated to the 4-H Foundation for leader training or be refunded during the training. Deadline for registration is June 15. Those interested in registering for the training or becoming a volunteer can contact their county UW CES office. A listing is available online at ces.uwyo.edu/Counties.asp. None Date: 6/21/07
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