Things to Learn LEVEL 1 (9- to 11-year-olds) Things to Do What Is A Fish? 1. How do fish breathe?i 2. Parts of a fish. 3. Can fish see color? How do f

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1 Fishing PROJECT PLANNING GUIDE OBJECTIVES OF THE 4-H FISHING PROJECT To learn about the fun of fishing and how to catch fish easily. To learn about freshwater and saltwater fish; their biology and preferred habitats. To learn the various types of fishing gear and which types are best suited for catching different fish. To understand the reasons for laws regulating the taking of fish. To learn to conserve North Carolina's living and water resources. EXTENSION RESOURCE MATERIALS 4-H WILDLIFE PROJECT SERIES: Fishing (Bait, Spin, Fly Casting & Safety), SN-442 Fish Culture, SW-419 Fish Identification and Display, SW-417 Making Artificial Lures, SW-439 Raising Crickets, SN-421 Raising Earthworms, SW 420 NOTE: This 4-H Fishing Project Planning Guide is designed for use with the National Youth Fishing Program packet produced by the AFTMA Fishing Educational Foundation. Components of the AFTMA Fishing Program useful in completing this project are: O. t "Fishing - Fundamentals for Beginning Anglers" - Student's Edition All About Fishing Rods All About Fishing Reels All About Fishing Lures All About Fishing Accessories How to Catch Fish in Fresthater How to Catch Fish in Salt Water References: A simple inexpensive guide to fishing is Fishing" by George S. Fischter and Phil Francis. Golden Guide Series, 1965.

2 Things to Learn LEVEL 1 (9- to 11-year-olds) Things to Do What Is A Fish? 1. How do fish breathe?i 2. Parts of a fish. 3. Can fish see color? How do fish hear? How do fish smell and taste their food? ' How do fish swim? 4. How to catch fish with a dip net. 5. How pond animals hatch from eggs. Visit a city aquarium or aquariumstore. Ask the manager to explain how fish breathe. Go to the library. Check out a book on fish. Draw a fish and label its parts. Use the words: mouth pectoral fin nostril dorsal fin eye anal fin lateral line caudal fin pelvic fin scales operculum (gill cover) Draw the internal structure of a fish. Label the parts: kidney intestine heart spinal column gonads' liver swim bladder stomach brain Dissect a fish and learn the inside.. parts. Read a book about fish. Report to your club. Watch a fish as it swims in an aquarium or pond. Watch its fins closely and try to see how each is used in balancing, turning and stopping. How does it use its body to swim? Make a dip net with a pole, a coat hanger, and an old stocking. Catch some small fish in the shallow water of a pond. Look at them closely. Make a temporary pool with a sheet of plastic on the bank of a lake or stream. Catch fish, frogs, etc., with a dip net and place them in the pool. Learn the names of the animals you catch. Return them to the stream. Observe the hatching of frogs, fish or snails at home over a Zeweek period using an aquarium bucket, jar or bowl. Report to your club....

3 Things to Learn Things to Do 6. How to tie fishing knots. Read AFTMA's "All About Fishing Lines." Demonstrate how to tie: a. improved clinch knot b. fisherman's knot c. blood knot d. two knots of your choice Explain the best use for each knot. Make a knot tying display board. Show the steps in tying each knot. Use the materials you would actually use; then illustrate each knot with small rope. How to fish with a hand line. Ask a fisherman to show you how to cast a hand line. Try to catch a fish with natural or artificial bait. Learn the parts of a cane pole fishing rig including: a. rod e. leader b. line f. hook c. float g. hook holder d. sinker Make your own fishing rig complete with all the parts listed. Which size hooks should be used for: a. Bluegill e. Croaker b. Catfish f. Spot c. Crappie 9. Blue fish d. Bass Visit a local tackle store. Examine various types of hooks, bobbers, line sinkers, and leaders. Ask a salesperson to give you a hook guide and to explain the uses of each type of equipment. 10. Learn hook safety and what to do if you are accidentally hooked. 10. Make and label a hook display showing hook sizes, types and safety. Explain to your club. 11. Natural baits - freshwater. 11. Before going on a fishing trip, go out and collect some of the natural baits found in your area. a. Minnows d. Leeches b. Crayfish e. Insects c. Worms f. Frogs 12. Natural baits - saltwater. 12. Collect natural baits for your fishing trip. Find out which bait is best for the fish you are trying to catch. Try collecting:. a. Small fish mullet menhaden eels killifish silversides

4 Things to Learn Things to Do Learn how to use a cast net. How to equip a tackle box. Basic first aid and safety Shrimp Mole crabs. Crabs Shellfish Squid LD thnu. Worms 'Learn where each of the baits above can be found. Demonstrate proper method of -hooking each of the baits listed above. Cast nets are often used to catch shrimp and small bait fish. A cast net is circular with weighted edges. You can find cast nets in most tackle or sporting goods stores. Ask a fisherman to show you the proper method of throwing a cast net and practice! Use a cast net to catch your own bait. Demonstrate how to throw a cast net at a 4-H meeting. Carefully plan your tackle box. Your fishing trips will be more fun if,you include a few important tools and accessories needed for fishing. Ask a fisherman to show your club what is needed in a tackle box. Keep your tackle box neat and orderly. If you do not already know how to swim, LEARN! Knowing basic first aid is important to every fisherman. Enroll in the 4-H First Aid Project to learn these skills. Include a first aid kit in your tackle box. Water safety officers from the Wildlife Resources Commission are available to talk to your club about water and boat safety. To find out who your local water safety officer is, call toll free: Put on a skit with your club about what to do when an accident occurs in water. Demonstrate: a. What to do when your friend falls out of a boat., :. 0 \

5 Things to Learn Things to Do 16. Learn about a variety of fish. 17. How to compare fishing trips and how to find which fishing techniques work best for you b. What to do when you fall out of a boat in very cold water. c. How to save a person from drowning. d. How to prevent boating accidents. With a boat pulled on shore or in someone's yard, show how to practice boating safety. Split your group in half. One group should show all the wrong practices of boating safety (boat crowded, no lights, no life preservers, etc.). Have the rest of the group guess what you're trying to show and correct for boat safety. Learn hook safety and what to do if you are accidentally hooked ("Fishing - Student's Edition - pg ). Make and label a hook display board showing hook sizes, types, and safety. Explain to your club. A. Learn to identify 10 freshwater fish. (If you live in freshwater areas catch five different fish and report on each.) Draw each fish and color it as it appears when it is first caught. Draw a line to the characteristics that help you identify it. Write a short paragraph about each fish. Explain: a. What the fish eats. b. Where the fish can be found. c. When the fish spawns (lays e995). B. Do the same for 10 saltwater fish. If you live in a saltwater area, catch five different saltwater fish. Keep a fishing log. Write down the number of hours you spend fishing. Record: a. Date b. Time. Number and kinds of fish caught Bait used. Fishing rig used. Water temperature LQ tho. Weather conditions

6 Things to Learn Things to Do IncTude the drawings from No. 16 in the back of your fishing Tog. ( 18. How to return fish to the water without damage. 18. Remember! - Good sportsmen and sportswomen reiease their catch if the fish are not used for food. Fish must be returned to the water correctiy or they witt die. Find out the proper methods of returning fish to water. (Refer to AFTMA "Fishing Fundamentais for Beginner Angiers" pg ) Catch five fish and return them to the water. Demonstrate to your ctub. 19. Care of your catch. 19. Learn the proper way to clean fish. FiTiet severat fish. Find out how to store fish untii you reach home. (Refer to: "Don't Waste That Fish" - Sea Grant Pubiication.) Practice the proper methods of freezing fish. PTan an overnight fishing trip. CTean the fish you catch and cook them over a campfire.

7 LEVEL 2 (12- to 14-year-olds) Things to Learn Fishing regulations and 1. licenses. Learn how to construct a rod and 2. reel outfit. Things to Do The N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission (Inland Fishing) and the N. C. Marine Fisheries Commission (Coastal Fishing) serve to protect and manage our fishing resources. Visit with a local enforcement officer from one of these agencies. Find out: a. What types of fishing are legal in your area and across the state (snagging, bow and arrow, spear gun)? b. What the creel (number of fish) and size limits are for fish in your area? c. Why fishing laws are necessary? d. What age person needs a fishing license? e. How is the money that is collected for fishing licenses used? f. What do Wildlife or Marine Fisheries enforcement officers do? Make a picture display showing the types of sport fish which are legal in your area and the creel (number of fish) and size limits on each. For information about inland fishing laws and licenses and to meet your local wildlife enforcement officer, call toll free: or in the Raleigh area For information about coastal fishing laws, open seasons for shellfishing and to meet your local Marine Fisheries enforcement officer, call toll free: Build a rod and reel using a cane pole, cork, rings, and single action reel. Practice using the rod and reel combination.

8 . Things to Learn Things to Do Fishing With Castinggkod and Reel 3. Learn selection, care, assembly, and disassembly of a spin casting outfit. Visit a sporting goods store. Examine the types of lines, lures, rods and reels available. Ask a salesperson to explain the uses of the various types of equipment. Concentrate on the gear you will be using in your first outing. Give a demonstration on the proper way to assemble, disassemble, and care for a rod and reel. Include oiling and attachment of line, leader and lure. Demonstrate to your leader your ability to execute with spinning tackle: a. an overhead cast b. side cast c. flip cast Cast with a practice plug until you are able to place the plug in the center of an old tire four times out of five at 35 feet. 4. Artificial What kind? What for? lures. Become familiar with the six basic types of lures. (Refer to AFTMA - "All About Fishing Lures.") a. spoons d. jigs b. spinners e. plugs c. imitations-soft plastic f. flies Find out how lures are designed for various types of fishing rigs. Try fishing with several of the lures listed above. Record your results. 5. Learn to make your own artificial lures. Refer to Wildlife Project - Making Artificial Lures, SW-439, for step-bystep instructions..a_4 A..., <_L. Display your hand-made lures at a local fair.

9 Things to Learn Things to Do 6. Learn to fish with bait casting and spin casting fishing rigs. Explain the difference between bait casting and spin casting reels and how they operate. (Refer to AFTMA - "All About Fishing Reels.") Demonstrate to your leader your ability to bait cast. Demonstrate to your leader your ability to spin cast. Ask a representative of a local angler's society to present a program on bass fishing in your area. Saltwater Fishing - How and Where Visit a bass tournament. Become familiar with rules, weigh in procedures and fish handling. 7. Pier or bottom fishing. Explore pier or bottom fishing techniques. Become familiar with: a. Bottom fishing tackle Rods and reels Hooks and bait Sinkers Bottom rigs b. Where is bottom fishing the most productive in your area (broken rocky bottom, shellfish beds, piers and docks, deep water)? c. Explain why fish congregate in these areas. (Refer to "Fishing" by George S. Fichter, Golden Guide Series.) 8. Surf fishing. Ask a local fisherman to show your club how to surf fish. Learn how to choose surf fishing tackle. (Refer to AFTMA's l'how to Catch Fish in Saltwater.")

10 Things to Learn Things to Do Find out the proper size surf rod to meet your fishing needs. Become familiar with: a. Surf rigs b. Surf lures and baits Ask an "expert" to show you how to "read the surf" to find good fishing spots. Go surf fishing after dark with your famiiy or ciub. Take a 4-H club from the Mountains or Piedmont on a surf fishing trip. 9. Freshwater fishing. Expiore fishing spots in a stream near you. Try fishing in the foiiowing areas: a. In riffies, pockets or poois. b. At cut-away banks and over-hangs. c. Above snags and underwater obstructions. d. Beiow a dam or waterfaii. Record your successes in your fishing iog. Expiain why you think the fish were iocated there (more food, protection, rest spot, etc.). (Refer to AFTMA's "How to Catch Fish in Fresh Water.") Try fishing at a iake or pond. Fish near: a. Needy shaiiow areas with weediess_ iures. b. Around faiien trees. c. Aiong drop offs. Record your resuits. 10

11 ' LEVEL 3 (15- to 19-year-olds) Things to Learn Things to Do Additional Fishing Techniques 1. How to select, care for, assemble and disassemble a fly fishing outfit. Practice with a fly casting outfit until you can hit a l-foot square piece of cardboard at 30 feet at least four times out of five. Explain to your club the function of fly tackle. Tying flies is an art in itself. Some fly patterns are centuries old. Ask a fly fisherman/woman to teach you how to tie your own flies. Create an original fly as well as several of the "oldtimers." Display your flies at a local fair and demonstrate your skill. 2. Offshore fishing. Teach a 4-H fishing club from the coast how to fish for trout with fly tackle. Try using fly fishing tackle in saltwater bays. Become familiar with big game tackle including: a. Rods and reels b. Lines and leaders c. Lures and baits Go offshore fishing on a charter or head boat. Organize an offshore fishing trip for an inland 4-H fishing club. 3. Learn about North Carolina Fish Management Programs. Find out what is being done to make fishing better in your area. Invite a speaker from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, - Inland Fisheries Division or the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries to discuss fish conservation. Visit one of the five state fish hatcheries in North Carolina. (Hatcheries are listed in Leader's Guide.) Find out: a. How fish are artificially spawned. b. How fish eggs are incubated. c. How the fish are raised to stocking size. d. When the hatchery fish are released in streams and rivers. 11

12 Things to Learn Things to Do Volunteer to work at a trout or warm water fish hatchery for a weekend. (/ Help with spawning, grading, or stocking fish. 4. Teach youngsters to fish. 4. Take five younger children fishing, either singularly or in pairs. Teach them the joy of fishing and the importance of protecting our water and fish resources. 5. Encourage fishing in your area. 5.' Organize a fishing rodeo for children. Secure prizes from local sporting goods stores; set up weighing stations, and award monthly and seasonal prizes. Write a fishing column for your local or school newspaper for at least 3 h months. Take photographs of your 4-H fishing club activities. Submit them to your local newspaper. Make a display of trophy fish for a local fair. Include a list of state and world records for five kinds of fish in your area. Note: For instructions on how to make a plaster of paris fish cast, refer to (: Wildlife Project SW 417, Fish Identification and Display. 6. How to help stop pollution and 6. Find out methods of water conservation ' } conserve water. at home. Alert the public to these practices. Refer to the N.C. 4-H Energy Project for additional information and ideas. Adopt a conservation project. Here are a few ideas: a. Stop bank erosion by planting grasses, trees or shrubs along a stream or lake for a mile. b. Refer to N.C. 4-H Marine Awareness Project - Transplanting Marshgrass, 4H M-1-108, to reduce erosion along sounds and rivers. c. Clean up littered areas around recreational water sites. Prepared by Jaynee Medlicott, Extension 4-H Staff Associate Published by THE NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE North Carolina State University at Raleigh, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University at Greensboro, and the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperating. State University Station, Raleigh, N. 0.. Chester D. Black, Director. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, The North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service offers its L programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, or national origin, and is an equal opportunity employer M ' 4H PG l 125