FREEPORT – At a recent youth education workshop sponsored by Trout Unlimited and L.L. Bean, PASCO Scientific donated a set of data-loggers, sensor probes and curriculum guides to the Merrymeeting Bay Chapter of Trout Unlimited for its Casting to the Future program.
The workshop, held at the Casco Conference Center on May 10 and 11, was part of an increased partnership between Trout Unlimited and L.L. Bean that is aimed at improving the overall quality of Trout Unlimited’s youth education programs.
The Merrymeeting Bay Chapter is in its fourth year of the Casting to the Future program. Each year they select one middle school or high school from a list of many requests.
Working with a teacher in that school, volunteers from the chapter offer instruction on fly casting, fly tying, insect identification, trout habitat and water safety. After some classroom work, students are offered the chance to test their new skills in a local pond recently stocked with trout. It also provides the opportunity for the students to learn proper catch and release techniques and the importance of conservation efforts.
During the summer, graduates of the program are invited to another outing to hone their skills and learn more about trout habitat. In the fall the chapter hosts the students for a three-day fishing trip at Cannel Side Camps in Grand Lake Stream.
Local registered Maine guides and volunteer mentors often provide one-on-one instruction. The students learn how to “read the water,” wading techniques and water safety. Students also get some real stream side entomology lessons and learn how insect populations relate to water quality and fishing opportunities.
With the donation of equipment the Casting to the Future program will also be able to include some water quality monitoring techniques for habitat assessment.
The chapter intends to share the equipment with other Maine Trout Unlimited chapters and offer training workshops. Any teacher interested in using this equipment is encouraged to contact the chapter by e-mail, mmbtu@mmbtu.org.
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