Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : August 31, 2005

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3380 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

CastingKids Fishing Classes

At National Hunting and Fishing Days Celebration

September 24-25 at Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park

  CastingKids, a special program sponsored by the national Bassmaster (BASS) organization and designed to teach children the basics of bass fishing, will be returning to this year's West Virginia Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days. The annual weekend event will be held at Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park in Lewis County (Interstate 79 exit 91) September 24-25.

  BASS is dedicated to America 's youth and to the future of bass fishing and its resources. And since kids are the future of this great sport, BASS developed the Bassmaster CastingKids program in 1991 and eventually joined hands with great sponsors to make it the most successful youth fishing program in the world.

  Open to young people in two age groups, 7-10 and 11-14, the goals of this competition are to involve America 's youth in fishing and to foster in each participant an appreciation and concern for the outdoors. Bassmaster CastingKids competitions are similar to the old NFL punt, pass, and kick events, except the challenge is to flip, pitch and cast a hookless lure to a bullseye target. These are three very important skills everyone needs to know in order to catch fish. Scoring is based on a points system so the young angler with the most points wins!

  In only 13 years of existence, the Bassmaster CastingKids program has reached over 1.5 million children and given away more than $2.9 million in cash, prizes and scholarships. Through the CastingKids program, BASS is able to uphold its commitment and dedication to youth and the future of bass fishing and its resources. BASS is proud of the success of this program, and we know that you, too, will find it to be rewarding. So look for a local Bassmaster CastingKids competition today and enjoy the excitement of a fun event designed to teach various casting techniques.

  The National Hunting and Fishing Day Celebration is sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and the West Virginia Wildlife Federation. More than 100 vendors and exhibits will be available. The public is invited to enjoy archery, youth competition, good food, sport dogs, care and cooking of fish and game, shotgun and black powder shooting, and many more activities and door prizes. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for children under age 15, and children 3 and under free.

  For more information call (304) 558-2771 or visit www.wvdnr.gov/hunting/nathuntfish.shtm . For more information, on the CastingKids contest, contact state BASS member Deion Bright at (304) 592-0494.

**DNR**