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I was just talking to Drew Cushing, the director of Utah's urban Fishing Program ... A long time friend and compadre. We sat down over an Apollo Burger and  d about old times. He has a ton on his plate and could use some help. I mentioned this website and he said it's one of his favorites. He is knee-deep in developing new urban fisheries and is always looking for cool guys like us to help with catching "certified" fish and other things. I am designing the 2006 Urban Fishing Guide. Did you guys know he has several new pond under development right now?! That is awesome!
Anyways, we could be a powerful force of men and women for him and could probably make leaps & bounds just for showing up when he needs help. Just think about all of the people here and what power we have!
I am not in to political anything! Drew is a good friend and I am going to do what it takes to get involved! I hope this message reaches you guys and sinks in. We could work wonders with this guy and probably get more accomplished for the sport of fishing.
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What is a "certified" fish? When I was growing up (and that was many moons ago) there were some fishing waters that were strictly for youth. As I recall, Spring Lake (south of Payson) was restricted to those age 14 or younger. I wish that they would put this restriction on many of the urban ponds so that some of the greedy adults would not be allowed to harvest all of the fish before the kids get a chance to catch them.
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I would also be willing to help with that. I think it's a great idea ! Very few things go together as well as kids and fishing.
But, the caveat here is this - the kids might turn out like us - mildly(in some cases, not so mild in others) obsessed with fishing. Maybe that's not such a bad thing - considering some of the alternatives. Anyway, I think the world would be a better place if people went fishing more often.
BTW - this is something I am learning to expect from you - kudos dude - I'm right there with you !
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You can count me in. I think the program is awesome and if I can help Drew and/or the Urban Fishing Prog. out in any way just put out the call.
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i think that if drew registered as a member of BFT and posted that he needed some help the responce he would get from this board would be overwhelming
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I believe "Certified" means that the fish is certified disease free. The state cannot transplant fish to new waters to help start a population unless the fish are certified to be disease free. Makes sense, I'm glad they do that.
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You can count me in to help. I did some of my dedicated hunter hours doing surveys at the community fishing ponds. Think these are a great resource for kids to learn to fish. I think a the minimum the should be catch and release for anyone 18 to 65. Lets us know when we can help out.
John
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The best help that all of us can give to Drew, is to become a fishing club coach.
There is a need for one adult for every 5 to 6 kids in each fishing club.
There are kids turned away from the fishing clubs every year because there are not enough leaders to go around.
All you need to do to become a fishing coach is sign up with Drew on the DWR web site and be able to give one evening a week for 8 weeks in April and May.
You don't even need to be a good fisher person to help. Just a desire to help kids learn how to fish.
The need for coaches was advertised on this site and several others this spring and also in the local papers. The same thing will happen next spring.
I hope that we will see a lot of BFTers signing up next year. That would be a great support for our youth.
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When you say that there are several new urban ponds in development, I hope that at least a few of them are scheduled for the Provo/Orem area. It seems like there are far more urban ponds north of the Point of the Mountain than there are south. I know it's likely a population-density thing with the SLC County area, but there are a considerable number of people in Provo/Orem, too.
Yes, there are decent urban ponds in Utah County as a whole, but most of them seem to be outside the Provo/Orem area. Off the top of my head, I can think of three south of Spanish Fork, but that's about it, and those that I can think of are trout ponds.
What would really be great is if there were a couple warm-water urban ponds developed in Provo/Orem that were planted with largemouth, bluegill, green sunfish, crappie, and catfish. I can think of several urban ponds that fit this description north of Point of the Mountain, but there are nada in Provo/Orem that I'm aware of.
Please pass this along to Drew. And by the way, I'm in for helping out with the program anyway I can. As has been suggested, have Drew register on the site and offer opportunities for service as they arise.
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2 years ago I voluntered at bountiful pond teaching a group of 10 year olds to fish. It was alot of fun and Drew is a great guy. I'd be happy to help with anything.
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COUNT ME IN ! I LOVE TO TAKE MY KIDS TO BOUNTIFUL AND WILLOW POND. I AM WILLING TO HELP FOR WHATEVER I CAN DO
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I am all for helping, let me know what I can do-schedual permiting. Especially if its for the kids.
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Sounds like a great idea. I as many of those who have already responded hope that some of the new ponds are restricted to the younger crowd. I take my niece and nephew to Willow Pond and would guess that 90% of the fish taken out of there are taken by adults. That's fine but at the same time, I think the purpose for urban fishing should be to encourage young kids to fish and to avoid the other pitfalls that are out there. Fishing is an amazing activity and we are fortunate to have the multitude of fishing locations that we have here in Utah. Either way, any help needed in the development process, I'm in.[reply]
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Count me in! I met Drew a couple of years ago when i registered to be a fishing instructor for the kids. To bad they didnt want me this year. [unsure] Never did get called back.[pirate]
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I don't know if Drew calles folks back year after year to help with the fishing clubs. That would take a lot of time that he probably doesn't have.
I hope that you will call and sign up to help again next spring. The program needs all of our help to work.
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Actually they did call me and told me if i was still interested and i said yes. They told me they call me back but hey never did and i lost track of time because of work and my vacation. [unimpressed]
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count me in, i would love to help.
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I just wanted to say thank you for the kind words and support for the community fisheries program. The partnerships with the communities have helped make this program what it is today. The community fisheries program can use your help in three important ways.
1. We have two angling groups that have adopted the program and ponds in their local communities. Cache Valley Anglers over the past two years have supplied the volunteers needed to run the 8-week youth fishing program. This program is an angling education program that the DWR and local community share. The kids range from ages 6-13 and classes take place at their local community fishery. We provide the lesson materials and equipment. HI-Country Anglers in Clearfield have likewise adopted Maybey Pond. If you have a local angling club, adopting your local community fishery would be the best thing you can do. It does take time and effort though. The rewards are the education and recruitment of future anglers.
2. If you don't have a community fishery in your town/city get in touch with your local community representatives and discuss the program with them.
3. Volunteer at an already existing community fishery.
Over the past 4 years we have graduated over 5000 kids from the youth fishing program and now have over 250 active volunteers. Being involved in this program might be the single best way to ensure that our kids and grandkids have places to enjoy the fishing experiences that we take for granted today.
As far as Utah County and others. We do have community fisheries in statewide places. Please checkout the community fisheries brochure at your local sporting goods store or DWR offices for your local opportunites.
For infomation of exactly how to volunteer please contact Drew Cushing at 801-538-4774 or [url "mailto:andrewcushing@utah.gov"]andrewcushing@utah.gov[/url]
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Hi Drew, and welcome to the site. You will be blown away by the support that the folks here will give to you. This will be a great way to get the word out for adult volunteers for the Spring Kids Fishing Clubs in Utah.
I hope that we will get a lot of support at the Meadow Creek Pond in Roy for next spring. We hope to have enough adults to run the classes for 100 kids on two different nights. With one adult for every 5 kids, that will be 20 volunteers needed to do the job in Roy alone.
I know that BFT members will step up and help fill the void.
Good luck with the program,,and thanks for all that you do, Dale.
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Speaking of Spring Lake [south of Payson], it was once a thriving trout/bass fishery. When are the urban fisheries folks going to address that body of water. I for one don't feel comfortable catching bass from one lake to be transported to another lake for the purposes of harvest.
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