Three Nebraska teams are participating in a 24-hour fishing marathon to raise awareness of issues affecting the country's waterways and to raise money to tackle the problems.
The event from 7 p.m. Friday to 6:59 p.m. Saturday is sponsored by Recycled Fish, the Council Bluffs-based non-profit water stewardship organization.
Arron Slater and his family from Lincoln chose Timber Point Lake near Brainard, Neb., for their round-the-clock fishing. Slater is a Nebraska Youth Fishing Instructor. He hopes to encourage people to overcome the mounting “nature deficit disorder” among young people.
“A study this year by the Outdoor Foundation shows that fishing is the No. 1 activity to get kids interested in the outdoors,” Slater said.
Brothers Jim Miller and Omaha and Gary Miller of Wahoo are fishing Czechland Lake near Prague, Neb., to spread the message that a lake is a reflection of its watershed.
“We've got excellent habitat and water quality at Czechland,” Jim Miller said. “The agricultural land conservation practices above Czechland are good and that is a credit to the Lower Platte North NRD. ''
Brothers Kevin Workman and Josh Workman of Lincoln are fishing at Gavin's Point Dam near Yankton, S.D. While the fishing can be excellent at Gavin's Point, the trash problem is out of control, Kevin Workman said.
“Our message is to make up for the other guy,” Kevin Workman said. “Used fishing line discarded along the shore, empty Styrofoam containers or six-pack holders – these are more than an eyesore, they threaten waterfowl and wildlife and threaten access to these great waters.”
Aside from fishing, the Workman brothers are cleaning up the shoreline and taking before and after photographs to show what difference a little time from a couple of guys can make.
Anglers are also competing to raise the most money through donations, and to catch more and bigger fish with a chance to win prizes. The angler who raises the most money wins a fishing trip with his or her choice of three Professional Anglers Association pro anglers. The Nebraskans are competing with teams in Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Illinois and Georgia.
Teeg Stouffer, executive director of Recycled Fish, said contributions are accepted by any of the participating angling teams across the country.
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