Judging by the whoop and holler on the beach at Lake Lanier, you’d have thought the girl just landed a whale. Her guide and everyone fishing along the shore cheered and patted her on the back, admiring her catch. She’d worked for it, casting, adjusting movements based on her guide’s tutelage. The sun was beating down so she kicked off her shoes and sunk her toes into the mushy sand at the water’s edge. When she saw the indicator bob, she set the hook, stripped and reeled in a 3” minnow, the catch of her lifetime! The pride, the glee, the victory!
The annual Becca Sue Klein All Kids Fish events inspire the next generation of fly anglers and conservationists through full-day fly fishing retreats. Kids, ages 10 - 18, will learn to assemble and cast a fly rod, tie knots, handle fish safely, select proper gear and learn about how a healthy river sustains life.
At the June retreat, nearly 30 kids from all over metro Atlanta gathered for a one-on-one fishing experience. Founded by fly fishing guru the late Becca Klein, the event’s mission is to cultivate a community that promotes equity and inclusivity, so that the kids who participate see themselves reflected in the many volunteers, guides and staff members present. That means that the All Kids Fish program not only welcomes all identities, perspectives and cultures but also celebrates diversity so that each angler feels a true sense of belonging – both on and off the water.
The next event, open to the public, is October 17 in Helen, Georgia.