Obed Wild & Scenic River Partners with the National Park Foundation to Offer Monthly "Let's Go Fishing" Program

Content submitted by: Niki Nicholas, Obed Wild & Scenic River

Two Junior Rangers head down to the riverbank to go fishing.

NPS

Thanks to a grant from the National Parks Foundation, Obed Wild & Scenic River staff were able to provide scheduled recurring fishing programs at the Obed Wild and Scenic River during the summer months of 2021. The outdoor program focused on introduction to recreational fishing to children. Park rangers provided a demonstration of how to fish, demonstrating the necessary techniques of learning and practicing how to properly cast a fishing pole, and set up an appropriate fishing rig to catch fish. Park rangers explained the significance of a healthy river ecosystem, which can be made evident through the presence of certain fish species, and food web relationships. Activities provided in learning about a river ecosystem, fish identification, fishing equipment such as rods, reels and bait and tackle. Overall hands-on fishing activities conducted at the program.

A Junior Ranger goes fishing from the water's edge.

NPS

The program was originally supposed to start during 2020 but the timeline was changed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pop-up interpretation programs were provided to help get this information and availability of the Jr. Ranger Let’s Go Fishing opportunities to park visitors.


Sometimes local families may not realize they have a great “neighborhood national park” in their own local communities, and especially a place that can be used for recreational fishing opportunities as well as a variety of other related outdoor recreational opportunities.

Program participants have really enjoyed learning about the river ecosystem that is in their local area. The Jr. Ranger fishing program has promoted stewardship and places a nature of care for the river and stream ecosystems, helped to encourage protections of the river and keeping the park clean overall, and provided familiarity with park resources and available future opportunities for recreational fishing for families to enjoy.

River Currents

This article was featured in the 2022 edition of River Currents, the annual newsletter for the National Park Service Wild & Scenic Rivers Program.