DATE: Friday, July 4, 1997                  TAG: 9707020214

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY BARBARA J. WOERNER, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   74 lines

FIRST TIME ANGLERS ARE HOOKED DURING FAMILY FISHING CLINIC

Ted Lindsay gave up a weekend of bass fishing on his own to bait hooks and explain casting to groups of children attending the Family Fishing Clinic at Munden Point Park recently.

More than 150 children with parents in tow lined the park's fingers of land that jut out into the Intercoastal Waterway holding fishing rods and watching the colorful plastic bobbers on the water's surface.

Many had never fished and at least 40 volunteers from various bass fishing clubs simultaneously untangled their lines, took fish off their hooks and ducked fishing poles that whipped through the air as the hopeful young anglers attempted a perfect cast.

``This is all for the kids,'' said Lindsay, president of the Coastal Bassmasters, one of the 23 bass fishing clubs from region seven of the Virginia Bass Anglers Sportsman Society that was represented at the event. ``We do this to help introduce them to fishing and I'm more than glad to be out here doing this.''

The patient efforts of Lindsay and other volunteers paid off as the student anglers started reeling in their catches.

``I caught my first fish,'' said Jason Ekberg, 13, from Virginia Beach. The grin that spread across his face was larger than the small 2 1/2-inch spot he held in his hand.

Roger Fitchett, state president of the Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation and Family Fishing Clinic volunteer, said he hoped that hooking a few fish would help the anglers-in-training become hooked on the sport.

``The main idea out here is to get them started with the rod and reel,'' he said. ``When you get a kid out here that has never caught a fish and they finally hook one and you see that look on their face - it makes the effort put into events like these worth it.''

The Family Fishing Clinic, sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation, is held the first Saturday in June and October. Volunteers for the clinic come from several area bass fishing clubs that belong to the Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation and the rods and reels are supplied by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Bass club members provided fishing instruction and supervision, prepared lunch and provided certificates with a photo to each child that participated.

Daniel Eggert, 6, took in a fishing and water safety demonstration given by Alex Gnatiuk and Jeff Hall.

``Ever since he was 3 years old he's wanted to go fishing and we knew that we weren't going to be much help so we brought him here,'' said Kathy Zeeks, Daniel's mother.

After the safety demonstration, Daniel and his parents headed for the water.

According to Bill Wilson, Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation youth director, these clinics also introduce kids and their families to water and boat safety, safe fishing techniques and preservation of the environment.

``You would be surprised at the number of non-fishing adults that show up at these things with their kids and end up wanting to fish by the time it's over,'' he said.

Adam Tainter, 8, contentedly fished from his father's lap.

``I caught a pumpkinseed with only three casts and I was the first one in my group to catch a fish,''

His father Glenn, said that he had fished while growing up and had gotten away from it.

``This is the kind of fishing I grew up with,'' he said. ``It's a great opportunity to do something with your kids and it helps bring the family together.''

For more information on the next Family Fishing Clinic to be held at Munden Point Park on Oct. 4, call the Department of Parks and Recreation at 471-5884. Pre-registration is required. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by BARBARA WOERNER

Ted Lindsay helps Kris Swartz with the fish she caught at the Family

Fishing Clinic at Munden Point Park recently. Lindsay was one of

more than 40 volunteers who assissted the 150 plus children at the

clinic.

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