AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY

137th Annual Meeting

San Francisco CA – September 2-6, 2007

“Trout Day” Kid’s Fishing Event


		South Bay Fishing in the City Program

Introduction

The organizers of the 2007 Urban Fishing Symposium are proud to announce “Trout Day” at Lake Merced, through the invitation of California Trout, and in collaboration with the South Bay Area Fishing in the City Program (SBFIC), AFS Annual Meeting, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), and California Department of Fish and Game (CADFG). The event will be comprised of a “Learn to Fish” clinic, time spent fishing for rainbow trout, speakers, and a BBQ lunch. The fishing clinic focuses on creating a repeatable experience for youth and their families while building a sustainable watershed education and fishing program. Rainbow trout will be stocked in a confined part of the North Lake for kids to pursue. All equipment is provided and there is no cost for families to participate. Furthermore, American Fisheries Society President Jennifer L. Nielsen will address the participants. Ultimately, “Trout Day” will showcase the award winning SBFIC program, California Trout, AFS, and CADFG and will kick-off the AFS Urban Fishing Symposium by serving as one example of the multifaceted and broad area of fisheries science that is urban fishing.

Event Details

When: Sunday, September 2, 2007 from 8:00am until 12:00pm, shuttle for volunteers will leave the Marriot at 6:45am.

Where: Lake Merced’s North Lake “The Original Urban Fishery,” San Francisco, California

Transportation: Transportation from the Marriot to the event will be provided via chartered shuttle

Lunch: BBQ lunch will be provided

A detailed schedule will be posted here soon!

	A Word From Our Speaker
Call for Volunteers The organizers of the 2007 Urban Fishing Symposium need your help to make this a spectacular “Learn-to-Fish” event. Volunteers are needed to assist SBFIC instructors in providing hands-on instruction at the “Learn to Fish” clinic in the areas of knot tying, safety and ethics of fishing, water quality, casting, rigging, fish identification, shoreline help, baiting, and to deliver fun fish facts at other informational booths. If you wish to participate, the organizers ask that you please wear your agency or university’s uniform at the event as a show of how many different agencies and universities are working to better urban fishing and aquatic education. If you are interested in being a part of this spectacular event please contact the Urban Fishing Symposium’s Steering Committee Chair Tom Lang at tlang@uaex.edu or California Trout Conservation Director Scott Feierabend at sfeierabend@caltrout.org. *Click Here for Fishing Clinic Outline*		President Nielsen is currently a supervisory fisheries research biologist at the U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center in Anchorage.
	Do you remember the first fish you ever caught? Who was with you? Did you talk much about it later to friends and family? My first fishing experience was with my Dad on a stream near Frankfort, Germany where he served in the U.S. Military. I don’t remember my motivation to go fishing with him, but I vividly remember pulling my first trout above the water! I was certain that fish had chosen me on purpose, I felt very special and my life was changed forever. Statistics state that 60% of all anglers live in urban areas along with their children and grandchildren. Urban fishing and angling “in the neighborhood” provide unique opportunities for families and friends to share the social capital of fishing and develop life shifting memories. Who knows how many futures will be changed on “Trout Day” at Lake Merced. I hope you will join us on Sunday September 2, 2007, and help make a difference recruiting and retaining the passion in the next generation.
	Jennifer L. Nielsen, President American Fisheries Society

Lake Merced Background

Lake Merced is located in the southwest corner of San Francisco near Skyline and Lake Merced Boulevards. It consists of four inter-connected freshwater lakes North Lake, South Lake, East Lake and Impound Lake that are fed by rainwater and seepage from historic springs and creeks. The Lake is a major natural habitat for many species of birds and waterfowl and a regional recreational venue offering fishing, boating, bicycling and wildlife viewing. Lake Merced is an emergency source of water for the City of San Francisco to be used for fire fighting or sanitation purposes if no other sources of water are available. The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department manages the recreational areas of the Lake under a 1950 agreement with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. The SFPUC manages the water aspects of the Lake.

Who To Contact

Urban Fishing Symposium Steering Committee Chair Tom Lang, tlang@uaex.edu

California Trout, Conservation Director Scott Feierabend, sfeierabend@caltrout.org