Sportfishing adult leader training will be Oct. 15-17 on the Parrie Haynes Youth Ranch outside Killeen, according to Larry Hysmith of College Station, Texas Agricultural Extension Service wildlife and fisheries associate. Registration deadline is Sept. 30. The leader trainings provide important curriculum material as well as two days of hands-on techniques in teaching specific topics, basic teaching and mentoring skills, and program organization and coordination. The adults are trained this way so that they will teach their youth in the same fashion.
Aquatic ecology stresses water quality, insect and plant sampling, and population dynamics.
Angling skills is an introduction to fishing methods from knot tying to fly casting. People and fish explores ethics, resource and human management, folklore and heritage and media and interviewing skills. Tackle crafting involves lure making, rod building and maintenance, and specialty equipment making. Hysmith suggested that because each person attends only one component of the training, more than one person from a local area should attend and then form a team to lead youth. Local teams are made up of these agency's personnel and other volunteers.