One way NCWF is working to connect youth to the out of doors is Clean Cast. Clean Cast is a youth fishing event designed to introduce children to the proper, responsible enjoyment of fishing! The program instills basic elements of aquatic habitat, litter prevention, and ecology while providing an introductory hands-on fishing experience. Children learn about equipment and how to bait hooks, cast, reel and release fish during the event. Volunteers assist each child to ensure a safe and satisfactory day. Fish biologists weigh each fish and show children how to properly handle and release fish. A derby-style component where participants "compete" for prizes in categories such as: first, largest, most, smallest, etc. adds further excitement. Each participant receives a hot dog lunch, a certificate of participation, a goody bag with tackle box and other fishing items; plus, their very own rod/reel! The children that enjoy the outdoors and have positive experiences with it are the ones that will make good, sound conservation decisions later in life. Clean Cast events make a great event for any affiliate or conservation partner in the state. It is a huge hit each June for the Lincolnton Sportsmen!

"Within the space of a few decades, the way children understand and experience nature has changed redically. Today, kids are aware of the global threats to the environment - but their physical contact, their intimacy with nature, is fading. That's exactly the opposite of how it was when I was a child."
- Richard Louv, author of "Last Child in the Woods"

Award Winners- Pictured Left to Right:

Julie Nobles -- First Fish Caught
Addy Avery -- Smallest Fish
Dylan Anderson -- Largest Fish
Caleb Sprinkle -- Most Fish
Briann Nobles -- Last Fish Caught

Students compete in casting competition
By Luann Laubscher
Students from five local elementary schools spent Saturday morning fishing on Lake Norman at Duke Power's Energy Explorium, competing to see who could catch the first, biggest, smallest and the most fish.

The students were hand picked to participate in the Clean Cast competition by their teachers and principals as a way to reward their performance in school, according to Tim Gestwicki, director of the regional office of the N.C. Wildlife Federation. The NCWF and Duke Power sponsored the event and Bass Pro Shop provided prizes.
The groups do three or four Clean Cast competitions a year with the help of volunteers who help the students bait hooks and cast. Clean Cast is a catch and release event.

As the students grabbed their fishing poles and headed for one of the three fishing spots on the Lake used in the competition questions ranged from "Are these worms alive?" to "What do you do if the fish swallows the hook?"

"This is an opportunity for you do all styles of fishing," Gestwicki said as he went over the rules for the day. "Everything is about safety. The first rule is to have fun. The second rule is to be safe."

CleanCast