Volunteers are being sought for this coming Saturday's Free Kids Fishing Event at the Mt Shasta Hatchery.  Volunteer duties include assisting in registering youngsters and families for the event, passing out loaner fishing outfits,  passing out bait and assisting young anglers at the ponds.  

As a regular volunteer I can attest to enjoyment in helping the many young anglers who are often landing their first fish. At the ponds I bait hooks, cast lines and net fish, give encouragement, share high fives and of course untangle twisted lines and reels. The action is fast and furious as the ponds are loaded with trout.  Some caught in the past have been  in excess of 5 pounds.  

I look forward every year to these events at the  Mt Shasta Hatchery as they are attended by hundreds of  young anglers and many families.  I had just stopped by to take a few pictures, collect a story for the website a number of years ago while on a nearby fly fishing outing. I grabbed a net, never returning to fishing and I have missed only one event since.

If  you enjoy fishing, passing on the traditions of the sport and are available to help please call Monty Currier of the California Fish and Wildlife Department at 530-440-9831.  Walk up volunteers are also welcome. Area set up begins at  about 7:00 am, registration of anglers begin at 8:45am, fishing begins at 9:00am and ends at 3:00pm.

I hope to see many new faces this year.  If you can't make this event there will be one July 6 and another on August 17 also at the Mt Shasta Hatchery.

Gary Heffley has been a valued contributor to MyOutdoorBuddy for over 10 years serving as manager, sales representative and reporter for much of Northern California. He is an avid outdoorsman and loves to fish and write about his adventures. He has a long history in the Sporting Goods field and uses that extensive experience to impart his wisdom in his writing.