A happy moment for new angler Jayde Panye.
REELS ON WHEELS DNR’S NEW FISHMOBILE INSPIRES ANGLING’S NEXT GENERATION
STORY BY ANDREA ZANI AND PHOTOS BY ANDY MANIS
This summer, the DNR launched a new educational fishing program dedicated to engaging youth in urban areas. The Mobile First Catch Center, dubbed the Fishmobile, is a trailer filled with everything needed for hands-on learning including rods, tackle and life vests for participating kids. DNR staff hope the First Catch Center can become a regular presence in urban communities to help young people catch on to fishing. “I’m just really thrilled to have it all there and put together,” said Theresa Stabo, the DNR’s fishing outreach and R3 coordinator, who helps lead recruitment, retention and reactivation efforts for the department. Stabo is the Fishmobile’s on-site coordinator. “In Wisconsin’s communities of color, people have been historically excluded
22
wnrmag.com
Megan McCarter is ready to try her luck after a lesson at the DNR’s new Fishmobile.
from the fishing community,” she said. “We want to make sure everyone feels safe at the water’s edge — that they have access and know they have the right to be there. We want to make sure everybody feels welcome.” Once on location, staff work with kids on knot-tying, practice casting and safety
before adding hooks and worms and heading to the water. Funding for the program was provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program and the nonprofit Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, which developed the First Catch Center initiative.
