Last winter, I attended a fishing instruction clinic presented by the Future Fisherman Foundation and the VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The clinic focused on the health benefits of fishing as an outdoor recreation opportunity, and engaging youth in fishing activities that can provide alternatives to boredom and its companion, “trouble”.
Casting Call program improves casting techniques and overall fishing skills.
One of the tools used to improve casting techniques were these plastic fish that serve as a target when casting. They float, but our use of them at Bear Creek Lake State Park has been in our "Casting Call" program held on the beach. No fishing license required, and a fun way to pass some time and gain fishing skills. Currently it is a point duty program led by one of my coworkers, Evan Spears. In the future we hope to include the bass in a more comprehensive fishing program at the park, geared towards area youth.
"Casting Call" is a fishing program geared towards youth.
Photo is courtesy of Megan Harris, staff reporter for The Farmville Herald.
In the meantime, we simply spend a couple hours on most Saturday mornings bringing in the big ones! To see when the next "Casting Call" is scheduled, call the park office at 804-402-4410 or by email.
The park is located about 4.5 miles northwest of the town of Cumberland. From U.S. Route 60, go west on Route 622 and south on Route 629 to the park entrance.
Drive Time: Northern Va., three hours; Richmond, one hour; Roanoke, two hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, three hours.
