Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Local kids gather 'round for Oasis State Park fishing clinic
Above: Manuel Ortega, 10, of Portales, waits for the fish to bite while out with his dad. Below: John'rey Aranda, 8, of Portales, shows off the four rainbow trout he caught Saturday with his father.
OASIS STATE PARK - Good fishing takes patience, sure, but you still need the fundaments.
There was a little bit of both at Oasis State Park's 26th annual "Kids Fishin' Clinic" Saturday morning outside Portales, with organizers leading six educational stations for almost three dozen children.
The idea was to lure more young people into the outdooring life.
"I like to see people bringing their kids out here," said Clovis' Deb Whitecotton, who assisted with the event. "Get them off the couch and do something outdoors. And if we can help get them on that path to being outdoorsmen, then more power to us."
Turnout was a little lower than normal, said park tech Valerie Russ, but there was no lack of enthusiasm among the children, parents and volunteers assisting with the event. Members of Eastern New Mexico University's wildlife club led a tackle identification tutorial, while representatives of the state's Department of Game and Fish talked on ethical consumption while presenting animal pelts and skulls for a show-and-tell.
Meanwhile, donations of cash from Clovis' VFW Post 3280, food from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, rods and reels from the state's "Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife" group and help from the "Friends of Oasis State Park" group kept the kids well-supplied, said park Manager Ray Drake.
Fort Sumner's Paul Lucero has assisted for years, and led instruction on tying different kinds of basic knots.
"It's something they'll have for the rest of their life," he said, noting the kids were quick learners. "You'd be surprised what a 5- or 6-year old can do."
Out at the clinic from Portales with their father, Emily Stroik left with an 8-inch trout and her little sister left with new information.
"Fishes scales are different," said 5-year old Hollie Stroik.
Joel Aranda and his son John'rey Aranda, 8, of Portales, caught four rainbow trout before the day was done.
Manuel Ortega, 10, of Portales and his father weren't as fortunate with the bites, but they were still having a good time.
"It's lucky because we're not at work," said Gabriel Ortega.
