A new angle on fishing: young anglers enjoy the great outdoors.

Barksdale Air Force Base, Bossier City, Louisiana is fortunate to be Located in a state so diverse in fishing habitats that it is called, "the fisherman's paradise." Fishing enthusiasts can often be found on one of the 11 ponds, four Lakes, two rivers, or five bayous on base. The Barksdale community is always looking for ways to get families involved in fun, base-wide, outdoor activities and the Barksdale Youth Center staff decided to do that this past spring by holding its first annual Fishing Derby. The program was designed and implemented to make the most effective use the natural and human resources in the area.

The Derby proved many positive results, including a greater appreciation of the environment and the responsibility each of us has to safeguard natural resources. In addition, the event promoted family involvement in youth programs and brought together various agencies who continue to work together on other mutual[y beneficial projects.

Months before the Derby, Youth Center staff contacted the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Armed with that information and hands-on experience, staff began to navigate the many variables inherent in formulating and implementing an event of this nature. The planning, energy and time invested in this program proved to be well worth it.

The program involved over 50 families from the base and was coordinated with the Barksdale Youth Center, Outdoor Recreation, and numerous volunteers from base squadrons. The program consisted of hands-on learning stations for both youth and parents. The four stations included (1) Water Safety, (2) Fish Identification, (3) Casting Practice, and (4) Marine Biology. The final station was for weighing, measuring, and filleting the fish that were caught. The youth were required to participate in each of the stations before they were given the opportunity to fish. After visiting the learning stations, the children and their parents actually fished at Flag Lake, one of the most picturesque, Cyprus-rich lakes on base.

The outdoor recreation director demonstrated proper water safety at the Water Safety station. Event volunteers watched a safety video and the young anglers were taught basic water safety techniques, the proper way to wear a personal flotation device (PFD), and given a demonstration on how a drowning person reacts. Participants were taught that safety and drowning prevention are of utmost importance during the Derby and anytime they are fishing.

The Fish Identification station was also staffed by Outdoor Recreation personnel. Youth learned to identify the common species of local fish, which include brim, crappie (often called white perch), and blue gilt. They also became familiar with exotics, including Florida bass and channel catfish. All participants were informed of the Louisiana State fishing laws and were asked to release fish that were too small or that they did not intend to eat.

The base Security Police had fun with the Casting Practice station and soon taught the young anglers to tie knots and secure artificial Lures. They practiced casting using cardboard targets supplied by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. During the Derby, live crickets were used as bait on cane poles. The more experienced participants used rods, reels, and artificial lures.

A Barksdale area local tended the Marine Biology station and demonstrated to those brave enough to watch the proper way to fillet what their catch of the day. Other onlookers promptly let even the best Looking fish go soon after they caught them. Questions were encouraged throughout the process.

A great cheer went up from the crowd when the first fish, a blue gill, was caught by a five-year-old child. The Little boy started a trend and for the next hour over 100 fish of various sizes were caught. The father of one of the young anglers even managed to reel in a snapping turtle to the delight and fascination of the children. Fish were caught, touched, examined, kept, and released by this curious assembly of young fishing enthusiasts. The children interacted positively with one another, and a sense of joy permeated the experience. Many parents found themselves forming new friendships with individuals of shared interests.

It was essential to collaborate with numerous squadrons on base and other agencies to implement a program of this magnitude. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries not only supplied training for the volunteers but also supplied the participants with free cane fishing poles, bait, lures, posters, patches, and coloring books. The Outdoor Recreation Department supplied tables, chairs, life preservers, and scales. And the Volunteer Planning Committee meetings were conducted at the Youth Center.

The Center staff and additional volunteers prepared the posters and organized ALL on-base publicity. Various media outlets were used to publicize the event including, the Youth Center calendar, newsletters, electronic mail, and the base newspaper, The Observer. But, word-of-mouth proved to be the best method of advertising the event. Barksdale's Marketing Department supplied the prizes and local merchants eagerly donated items in support of the program.

The program was videotaped, which was a great way to relive the excitement of the day. The video also proved to be a very useful tool for the Youth Center; it has been shown at various functions since the Derby and will be a valuable reference material for planning future fishing derbies.

The members of the Barksdale community proved more than willing to get involved with quality base-wide youth programs. The families participated in a recreational activity that they can continue to enjoy throughout their lives. When members of the community and base residents join together new skills are learned, old abilities are sharpened and new friendships are formed. Outdoor recreational programs help bring youth into harmony with their natural surroundings on both the physical and emotional Levels. And a sense of pride and ownership in the community will quickly emerge. Combining the knowledge of different agencies, lots of hard work, and capitalizing on others areas of expertise is crucial and guarantees a professional, successful event.