Home | Media Center | Family fishing event strikes a chord with youth and volunteers

May 04, 2010
Source: Tammy Sapp

Almost 27 percent of Americans volunteered for or through an organization in 2009 with women volunteering at higher rates than men. Heather Bowen, who wears the title of volunteer "canal keeper" for the Family and Youth Casting Call, is a classic example of Americans who donate their time and talent for the betterment of others.

Held each year at Fletchers Cove in Washington, D.C., the American Fly Fishing Trade Association and National Park Service's Family and Youth Casting Call is a free event that provides metro area families and youth a chance to learn how to fish. Heather's duties include making sure participants have the equipment they need - rods, reels and worms - and helping them get rigged up to catch the 1,500 pumpkinseed sunfish stocked before the event.

Heather describes the event, which will be held Saturday, April 24, as part fishing event, part festival. When not fishing, the kids can explore hands-on education stations to earn their National Park Service Junior Ranger Badge. With more than 40 displays and activities on site, including fly casting, fly tying, fish art, touch tanks, scavenger hunts, water quality testing and more, kids of all ages won't even remember the name of their favorite video game.

What Heather said she loves best about the event is children who may never have experienced a day on the water will have their first chance to fall in love with fishing. Heather will be joined by a hundred other volunteers working to make sure each of the expected 500 kids will have a chance to catch a fish and enjoy a fun and safe day with their families. All the equipment is provided and mom and dad don't need to know a thing about fishing.

Heather said it feels amazing to see a child catch their first fish. Watching them squealing with excitement is her paycheck and brings back memories of catching her own first fish. Angling was not a part of Heather's childhood, so when she learned how five years ago, it opened new doors for her.

"I thought 'This is great. Why haven't I been doing this my whole life?'"

Heather is determined to help other people discover fishing while they are young, because it's something they can enjoy throughout their lives.

Though Heather hasn't been fishing long, she didn't waste any time in sharing her newfound interest with others. This year will be Heather's third anniversary as the event's official canal keeper. She emphasized you don't have to be a professional angler to open a child's eyes to the magic of nature. Volunteers do need to have a desire to learn, a caring heart and a will to serve others.

Heather said, "I feel proud to be part of the group that comes together to plan Casting Call and make it a reality for so many kids to be able to fish, learn about the natural environment and enjoy Fletcher's Cove."

For more information, visit http://www.familyandyouthcastingcall.com/