Kids try fishing

By 8 p.m., Bailey Klanderud had pulled five fish from the waters off the pier at Papillion's Walnut Creek Recreation Area.

One more and Bailey, on her second fishing expedition, would have caught her age.

Bailey was one of about 20 youngsters ranging in age from 2 to about 12 taking part in a Dad and Me fishing program held Monday night.

The purpose of the clinic, which was held by Angie Michaels, of Go Fish Girls/Go Fish Kids and FishHer fishing gear for women, was to teach children fishing basics such as baiting, casting, setting a hook and catching a fish.

Michaels even offered a tip for picture taking after catching a fish: If you hold your fish out toward the camera, the fish looks bigger.

“We taught about 1,200 girls last year through the Girl Scouts fishing patch program,” Michaels said. This year, she opened the program to boys as well.

While not every child enjoyed Bailey's level of success, each participant caught at least one fish before the two-hour program ended, Michaels said. Some threw impressive casts out into the water, while others had more success dropping their line by the side of the pier.

Not that there weren't some getaways. One fish dropped off the hook as a young angler was reeling it in; another boy complained that his worm had been eaten off the hook twice.

“You know what we call that?” Michaels asked him. “A free lunch.”

The program is supported by a grant from the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, Michaels said.

Dad Ryan Dowd of Gretna, who said the clinic was “a learning experience for both of us,” brought 4-year-old Jacob for his second try at fishing.

“It's been good,” Dowd said of the class. “I think it's good they're keeping it fun.”

Bailey's dad, Brent Klanderud of Bennington, said they were enjoying themselves, drawing emphatic agreement from his daughter.

“It's awesome, it's awesome, it's awesome,” 6-year-old Bailey chanted. “I want to catch five more.”