Canby Pond Youth Angling Event Set for Saturday (VIDEO)

Youth Anglers Enhancement Project on April 4th 2009 is a fun and educational event for kids.

(CANBY, Ore.) - The new youth and handicap fishery at the Canby Pond has already proven successful in the eyes of its many supporters, including Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Many young fishers have already enjoyed successful trips, and the season has just begun. This small location has always fished well, with fish actively biting and jumping soon after being released into the pond.

State fisheries biologists have previously thought stocked fish only lasted a few days before being completely fished out. With the new regulations and strict adherence enforced by OSP, fishing should remain very good here for the next several months.

The Oregon State Police Wildlife Division was quick to respond to complaints of adults continuing to fish after being informed of the new 2009 regulation change, prohibiting non-disabled adult fishing.

Some offenders were recently ticketed for the age restriction violation, and the less friendly offenders were additionally fined for possessing fish that should have been left for the kids and handicapped fishers.

Vandals soon after removed the mounting bolts and destroyed one posted Yellow ODFW regulation sign. One adult poacher was seen throwing dead fish back into the pond, apparently to choose larger catches.

Still, in spite of these problems and a few more, it really has been very friendly fishing here.

This weekend will bring a fresh stocking; over one thousand fish will arrive for a YAEP (Youth Angling Enhancement Project) from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Poles and bait will be available to use, and young anglers may also bring their own favorite rig. Please try to bring similar small and lighweight equipment with proper line to ease the chance of angler conflict.

Saturday's event could be busy for such a small pond, but volunteers will keep things moving, and making sure no one exceeds their 5 fish limit.

Fish that are hooked deep should not be returned to the pond unless it can be determined that they are uninjured.

Anglers may also bring their choice of bait. Gulp eggs are great for those who tend to lose their bait often, and Pautzke's eggs work well for the more careful fisher. This is mostly a bobber fishery; bottom fishing requires much more patience and increased chance for lost or hung up gear.

Flyfishing for youth and handicapped fishers is best enjoyed in the early morning and late evening, when few if any fishers are pondside.

Young anglers are very attentive to instruction here, and achieve quick success in several small steps to great fishing. The youngest start by reeling in the catch, or pulling in the setup for rebaiting.

Bait is refreshed by a more advanced angler, old enough to handle hooks. Setting the hook after a bite, or attending the pole is the next step, and sometimes its a long one.

Anglers that can pay strict attention soon are casting their own lines, and set the rod and reel for anticipation of fighting a beautiful fish. Experienced young anglers are quite able to handle all the steps of fishing their own line, but its always good to have some assitance to land the catch.

With some of Saturday's fish weighing 1-4 pounds, I would suggest using 6 pound leader. Small fishing nets with long handles are very useful, the action this weekend could be incredibly fast and furious.

A successful YAEP event could lead to more similar events at this fantastic location,. It's an excellent youth and handicap fishery program unlike any other in the state.

ODFW has been looking for a site for an information kiosk here, and supporters like the idea of a central ODFW site in the metro area to teach young anglers all the aspects of fishing.

Water resource stewardship in Oregon is one thing all our states youth should understand completely.

Families come from a large surrounding area after reading and seeing a community fishing success like the Canby Pond has become.

Mitch Webb is a State Fish & Wildlife Volunteer who devotes large amounts of time to helping children discover fishing, getting American combat vets out for a day on the river, and educating people about the environmental stewardship that is necessary for fishing to continue as a sport. Mitch may be best known as the operator of a special driftboat named for his friend Kevin Davis who was killed in Iraq. The boat is dedicated to helping veterans; especially those who suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, get a new perspective by spending a day on the river. "Kevin's Driftboat" is used on the Deschutes and Clackamas Rivers, taking combat veterans into a peaceful environment that allows them to focus on the sport of fishing, and get their minds off of other problems that life often holds for those who served in war.