Gender debate concludes naturally

BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

The young lady not permitted to fish with the boys this summer had her wish granted finally after a special invitation from a couple of fishing heavyweights.

And rather than go it alone, nine-year-old Lydia Houck choose to share the Sept. 4 fishing trip to Lilly Lake with 16 other neighbourhood kids of both genders.

Darlene Caldwell, president of the Fishers and Anglers Association of Nova Scotia, had sympathized with Houck's battle to join a boy's only fishing daycamp earlier in the summer, calling her a 'woman in the outdoors in the making'.

She contacted friend and colleague Tara Marshall, Sportfish Development Officer with the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and arranged a last-minute 'Learn to Fish' excursion.

Learn to fish is a provincial school and community-based program aimed at teaching young persons under the age of 12 all about angling and the outdoors. Marshall said she was more than willing to make a special trip to Hants County for a condensed version of the program that day.

“They had a ball,” she said of the boys and girls who attended. The children began the day tackling the basics of rod and reel before Marshall gave them their first thrill of the catch.

“When I made my very first cast the bobber went down and I could hear the kids cheering. The expression on their faces when they saw that first fish spoke volumes,” she said.

Soon after the children dove into the experience in hopes of getting a bite of their own. For many of them it was their first fishing experience, but they lived up to the challenge, Marshall said. “It was nice to see them doing it on their own and helping each other out when they snagged a line or lost a worm.”

And those lucky enough to catch their first pickerel also learned the components of catch and release or how to clean and fillet the fresh catch for lunch onsite. “They may be a small fish,” Marshall said, “but the kids loved them. They're a nice, white pan fish.”

Absolute blast: Caldwell

Caldwell said the event was the most fun she had had in a long time. “We had an absolute blast. Those kids were real troopers.”

Caldwell is an avid volunteer who learned her own lesson that day. “I realized that I need to start practicing what I preach. Getting out there with those kids totally re-energized me. I can't thank them enough for letting me be a part of that experience.” It’s one she says will stay with her forever.

“When one young boy finally made his first catch he was so excited he dropped his reel and ran up the bank to tell his mother.” Although not everyone caught a fish that day, they all had fun. “That’s what it was about; enjoying nature and having a good time,” she said.

As well, the trip encompassed more than just fishing, Caldwell said. It was an opportunity to learn about nature. “We saw a loon in the water, dragonflies and toads. It was just spectacular.”

Marshall echoed the point. She said the program teaches children important lessons about wetland habitats and conservation.

Lydia Houck’s parents John and Lorna joined the crew that day and called it a positive experience. “There was a universal bonding between the boys and girls. It just flowed naturally,” Lorna said.

“At first the kids just rolled up their pants and stood on the water’s edge, then the next thing they were jumping in all the way.”

Caldwell was pleased that the municipality offered a fishing daycamp, but said it was unfortunate the experience was open only to boys. “Bottom line is kids are kids and they should all get a chance to experiment with fishing. It shouldn't be a gender thing.”

She was so enthused with the results of their fishing day she hopes to make it an annual event for all boys and girls interested. “If we could put this together in a couple of days, I'm sure we can plan something for next spring.”