Taylor J. Hale
Staff Writer

STEVENS POINT – Portage County youth had a chance to get in touch with the great outdoors at the 2019 Kids Fishing Clinic at Bukolt Park on June 13.

The educational event teaches kids and their parents how to hone their inner-angler and reel in the big ones. The program was started in 2000 by the Prime Water Anglers (PWA), an active fishing organization that focuses on youth and community projects.

PWA members stemmed the event from a drug prevention program.

“It kicked off from the Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs campaign that was going on,” said PAW President Jeff Rautio. “The 12 Apostles Musky Club was doing that and this was a spin-off because we wanted to do more than just stock fish.”

Eli Lorbiecki shows off his first catch of the day at the Kids Fishing Clinic. (Taylor Hale photo)

The two-day fishing clinic consists of a classroom segment, which was held at Jefferson Elementary School on June 11, where kids learned about casting, fish identification, knot tying and more. Then, the group hit the Wisconsin River on the second day for some real-world experience.

“We are trying to get the next generation interested in fishing and hunting and stuff like that and get them away from the electronics,” Rautio said. “We advocate family activity and family recreation.”

PWA recently installed a handicap accessible pier at the park, which opened on June 3. Their commitment to improving the area’s recreational resources is visible, but Rautio stays humble as the group’s list of accomplished projects continues to grow.

“It’s a good thing for the community; it brings everybody together,” Rautio added.

PWA members initially planned to host the outdoor section of the clinic on June 12, but rain and poor conditions pushed the event back a day. The clinic helped educate roughly 45 children on angling this year, though some had to miss the second day due to the rescheduling.

About 14 boaters took children out on the river to fish, while some stayed on the shoreline to cast off.

Rautio noted that the event wouldn’t be possible without the support of community sponsors. “We have 43 sponsors, plus the guides. So everyone gives a little bit, rather than just having a big sponsor. Most of these are local businesses. We like to keep it local, and they all give us support,” he said.

To learn more about PWA and their community projects and programs, visit https://primewateranglers.com.