Kicking off the week, Service staff from the Kenai Fishery Resource Office will host 15-to-20 children from Challenge Alaska. The children with various physical or emotional disabilities will be treated to a day of boating and fishing beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
National Fishing Week celebrates recreational fishing and showcases our nations aquatic resources. For more than a decade, the week-longevent has introduced sport fishing to the public, especially young people, and featured fisheries management."Alaska has the finest fishing opportunities in the world," said Walter Stieglitz, the Services Regional Director for Alaska. "By stimulating interest in sport fishing the Service has an opportunity to share knowledge and highlight the importance of this resource.
Other scheduled activities include the Kenai River Festival in Soldotna June 12 and 13; fly fishing seminars at the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge from June 7 to 14; and a Girl Scout Jamboree at the Palmer state fair grounds where U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff will teach more than 900 scouts fishing fundamentals on June 11 and 12.
Activities Planned for National Fishing Week 1993
AMNWR AIU Adak - During June they will provide a weekend film series on sportfishing and fish lifecycles, place an informational display in the visitor center, publish articles in the local newspaper, provide environmental education activities about sportfishing in their "Kids Program., distribute informational brochures, and provide special programs by individual staff members.
AP/Becharof - June 13-19. During the week depending on weather, tides, and fish, the refuge will be providing a fishing trip for local youth on the Naknek River. The trip will focus on King Salmon and Rainbow Trout. Fishing techniques, habitat, and ethics will be highlighted. The refuge is currently working on the process to select the kids and chaperons who will attend. Arctic - On June 5, will participate with the Fishery Resources Office, Kanuti, and Yukon Flats Refuges, and Trout Unlimited and The Midnight Sun Flycasters to put on the annual "Fishing is Fun Day". Innoko - On June 2-4 The refuge will participate in the annual Girl Scout Day ;Camp, providing activities about wetlands and fish ecology and will present the "Pathways to Fishing" program. Boys will be allowed to attend! The refuge will also prepare radio PSAs on National Fishing Week to air on the local radio station. Izembek - June 7-12. On June 7, they will hold a water chemistry session for all ages. On June 9, they will hold a fly fishing clinic for all ages. On June 11, they will have a clinic on fish sampling techniques for all ages, and on June 12 they will sponsor the Annual Youth Fishing Derby.
Kanuti - On June 5, will participate with the Fishery Resources Office, Yukon Flats, and Arctic Refuges, and Trout Unlimited and The Midnight Sun Flycasters to put on the annual "Fishing is Fun Day".
Kenai - On June 7, they will cooperate with Challenge Alaska and the Fishery Resources office to take disabled youth fishing at Engineer Lake. They are also working on a cooperative effort to provide a sportfishing related activity at ;he Kenai River Festival.
Koyukuk /Nowitna - June 14, 1993, will run a radio announcement, place posters up around town, and have fishing fact sheets available for the public.
Selawik - Between June 1-16, weather and ice dependent, will sponsor a "Childrens Fishing Day", provide displays at the visitor center about fishing, wetlands and the importance of fishing to subsistence. During the months of May and June the visitor center will show videos on fish, fishing and wetlands related subjects.
Togiak - During June the refuge staff will present a "Pathways to Fishing" program to area youth in cooperation with the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. This will depend on the corporation successfully implementing their summer youth program. If that does not happen, the staff and ADF&G will work with the Boy and Girl Scouts and present the same program. This is the second year that the refuge has presented the "Pathways" program.
Yukon Delta - Between June 7-14 will be presenting a fly fishing seminar at the refuge headquarters and is working with a private group to carry out a fishing camp experience for disabled youth on the Kisaralik River.
Yukon Flats - On June 5, will participate with the Fishery Resources Office, Kanuti, and Arctic Refuges, and Trout Unlimited and The Midnight Sun Flycasters to put on the annual "Fishing is Fun Day.
-FWS-
