Fostering an appreciation and love for fishing is the goal, as Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery partners with the Russell County Public Library and Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery to bring the Card Carrying Anglers program to Russell County. Fishing can be fun, enjoyable, educational and a wonderful way to connect with nature. Fishing can also be intimidating and costly to the new angler. Focused primarily on introducing fishing to children and families, the Card Carrying Anglers program is a way to break-through barriers.
Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery purchased adult rods, youth rods, tackle boxes, basic fishing gear (floats, hook assortment, sinkers, fishing line, hook remover, artificial bait, etc.) and a display cart. Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery staff provided laminated cards with basic fishing tips, fish identification photos, and information about where to find licensing/limits information. These items were taken to Russell County Public Library, where these items will be catalogued and ready to check out by spring break corresponding with the timeline of our local school system.
We hope this program will be popular, and would love to see the program grow. If the program is well-received in the community, more tackle boxes and rods may be purchased and made available. With enough interest, fishing instruction workshops may also be a possibility in the future.
