Students learn and practice basic fishing skills like knot tying, attaching tackle, hook safety, proper catch and release techniques, and casting. Kids also learn about local environmental issues like water pollution through discussion and fun hands-on activities. By the last day of the clinic, students are able to set up rods with tackle, bait hooks, release catch, and (hopefully) detangle their own fishing lines.

Natural Resources Police officers bring students important lessons about water and boating safety, while Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) officers encourage young people to pursue healthy, fun outdoor activities like fishing instead of risky, dangerous behavior like drug use.

Last summer the Maryland B.A.S.S. Federation held special Casting Kids contests the Harford Glen and Patapsco Valley locations. At these special events participants were taught three styles of casting and given a few practices before the competition began. The person with the highest score for each age group (7 to 10, 11 to 14) was the winner for the week, and received a medal, a new Zebco spincast rod combo, and an invitation to the state finals.

Think regular fishing is too easy? Perhaps it's time to move on to the challenge of fly-fishing! In 2003 DNR sponsored Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs fly-fishing clinics for teenagers 12 to 15. Even if you've never fly-fished before, this clinic will teach you the important knots, how to cast properly and how to tie your own flies - all with safety in mind. By the last day of the clinics, our fly-fishers are able to "read" the water, which helps them catch blue gills, largemouth bass and creek chubs. (In 2004, fly-fishing clinics will be offered in the spring and fall.)