"Fishing's Future" Coming to Salina
KSAL Staff - Sat 07:42 AM 11/12/2011
Fishing's Future is a national non-profit organization dedicated to reconnecting children and their parents to nature through the outdoor experience of fishing.
Fishing's Future, an exciting national non-profit organization dedicated to reconnecting children and their parents to nature through the outdoor experience of fishing, is moving their distribution center and opening a Fishing’s Future Chapter in Salina later this month.
According to the organization, this chapter will be their first in the state of Kansas and they are planning on opening several others throughout the state within the next two years.
“Working closely with Tom Lang and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) is very exciting,” founder Shane Wilson stated. Kevin Reich, Vice President of Product Procurement and Disbursement for Fishing’s Future, will coordinate and oversee all Fishing’s Future family events and outreach activities.
Spreading the joys of fishing and reintroducing kids to nature throughout Kansas are Fishing’s Future’s objectives. “Coming to Kansas opens up a new chapter for Fishing’s Future and we are moving our distribution center into the very heart of this remarkable state,” said Wilson. Salina is an ideal location due to its proximity to the number of State Parks and community lakes within a couple hours drive.
“The Salina area has a great fishing tradition and aquatic education has been a major focus for quite some time,” said Tom Lang KDWPT Fisheries Program Specialist. “Past KDWPT Fisheries Biologists Bruce Zamrzla and Tommie Berger always went above and beyond with aquatic education in Salina. The folks of Salina have also greatly benefited from the Central Mall’s 15,000 gallon aquarium which was dedicated to the memory of Bruce. We are excited about the potential opportunities to partner with Fishing’s Future and expand our aquatic education efforts. I can’t think of more fitting place for them to start their first Kansas Chapter than in Salina.”
This is a chance for kids and parents to experience something new and exciting. A Fishing’s Future Chapter in Salina will provide kids and families the opportunity to experience something new and exhilarating. Master Angler Kevin Reich will direct all events and coordinate community relations. “I am excited to get started here in Salina. This has been my home for many years prior to moving to Texas. It will be an honor to join together with Kansas Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism. If anyone is interested in helping or wanting to know more about Fishing’s Future please email me or check out our website, “remarks Reich. Kevin has been with Fishing’s Future for the past two years, is an accomplished angler, a proud father and has a successful professional background. "He is the perfect person to open this chapter and his knowledge of fishing is unmatched,” said Wilson.
Fishing's Future combines the fishing experience with outdoor education at what are called "Family Fish Camps." Camps include; learning different fishing techniques, teaching the "Leave No Trace" philosophy and addressing water and outdoor safety practices. The overall goal of Fishing's Future is to reconnect kids to parents and nature while strengthening family bonds. This is achieved by including parents in all "Family Fish Camp" events.
Fishing's Future has been recognized by the Texas State Senate for their, “commitment to creating an atmosphere of family bonding and environmental stewardship through the sport of fishing." Currently, they have chapters in 7 states and the list is growing.
“The exceptional work that Fishing’s Future has done through their partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife makes us very excited about their arrival to Kansas and the potential partnership with our Fish Kansas aquatic education program,” said Lang.
Visit www.fishingsfuture.org for more information
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undercover
Sunday 13 November 2011 11:32 Report this comment
this would be a good time to dig the Lakewood park out deeper. Its only three feet deep in the deepest spot. Boyscouts found that out when they took there boats there a few years back.
uneducated
Sunday 13 November 2011 15:42 Report this comment
undercover, sorry but that's incorrect. There's 9' of water at it's deepest point, which is under the power lines straight out from the old dock. Ironically, it's probably a great organization, centrally located, but a drive to any state park. Salina's only real offering to outdoors people is room and board. Just look at our beautiful state lake, a dry borrow pit. Whew-wee, we sure got it good here don't we!!!
Viper
Sunday 13 November 2011 22:06 Report this comment
uneducated if you read the whole article it states that the state parks are within a couple hours drive. I,m originally from Lucas Kansas and I know that Wilson Lake is only and hour and a half away and it is a beautiful lake, and good fishing to.
undercover
Sunday 13 November 2011 23:46 Report this comment
To whom it may concern, my dad is a certified scuba diving instructor. Maybe be neat to combine the fishing with seeing the real life of how fish live. Dad and I clean the Salina Aquarium every three months. We also dive at most lakes when its visible. This program might attract more people if theres more options like diving. We just struggle with the popularity being we are in Kansas. Respond if it interest anybody.
uneducated
Monday 14 November 2011 05:49 Report this comment
Thanks viper, Yes I was aware of that. Just wanted to reestablish the driving part. As some may know, our state parks had one of their worst seasons ever, heat, toxins, and GAS prices left many campgrounds empty this past summer. With some claiming "peak oil" now, fuel prices will surely hinder this organizations efforts. Furthermore, a local venture is really impossible due to the status of our State commitment at the "pit". OSFL offers no swimming, so a diving adventure is moot, with Wilson offering the only real chance for that. I sure hope this org has deep pockets or plenty of donations. Gas could be $5/g next summer.
undercover
Monday 14 November 2011 10:25 Report this comment
uneducated, it does seem impossible with all the algae alerts going on. Trying to convince people its ok to go close to the water is going to be hard. The economy is another factor for sure. Did the lakewood park have problems with the algae? Maybe concentrate on just that lake. Maybe find millons of dollars we dont have and make the small lake a fishing haven with cabins and great fishing. Lake Wassy is another option. Theres been many approvements there but I dont approve with the rumors I heard if they are true. A whole bunch going on with out the proper permits. Not trying to start rumors I am one who wishes the best of luck in this hell hole.
uneducated
Monday 14 November 2011 11:30 Report this comment
Undercover, Lakewood is it's own can of worms. Building cabins on public property, the boating regs, and lastly NRCS lists it as a environmental hazard. Not to mention the fact that the city through the years spent minimal amounts of tax $ trying to fill it again. Then, when it finally happened, through a collapse of the leaking dike, they drained it because it had become a bird sanctuary. Now it's basically our N'orleans, because this sanctuary is below the water table. Salina has no foresight.