JUST FOR KIDS

MAT-SU — Part of the mission of the Mat-Su Anglers is introducing the sport of fishing to children. This weekend the local nonprofit club is helping to ensure children are not only introduced to the sport, but have opportunity to enjoy it.

In cooperation with Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and with the approval of Alaska Board of Fish, Mat-Su Anglers is helping host the first youth-only fishery at Fish Creek Saturday and Sunday.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for kids,” Mat-Su Anglers president and co-founder Julie Busch said.

Busch said it sometimes can be hard for the younger anglers to pry their way into the crowd at a busy salmon hole. While adults may hold their ground, the children may be left looking for a good spot to fish.

But this weekend Fish Creek — a popular fishery located about Mile 17 of Knik-Goose Bay Road — is just for the kids, 15 years and under. Nobody over that age will be allowed to have a line in the water, during the youth-only event, slated for 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. And anglers won’t need a fishing license either since the state does not require children 15 years old and younger to have a license.

Busch said Mat-Su Anglers members will be available to help and answer questions.

“This is where we all got our start,” Busch said. “Parents teaching us, learning from other anglers.”

Sockeye (red) and coho (silver) are among the salmon species hitting Fish Creek. Other than kids only, all other regulations still remain in effect. The daily possession limit is three salmon, and only two can be silvers.

Busch said club members came up with the idea of a kids-only fishery and wrote a proposal to the Board of Fish, requesting the youth-only weekend fishery. The board adopted the proposal, and it is now in effect for the next three years.

Mat-Su Anglers also sought advice from Fish and Game, about the proper place for the kids only fishery. Fish Creek was the suggestion.

Busch said the experience of writing the proposal was also valuable for the club.

“We learned as a group how that works,” she said. “Now, we feel we are in a better position to initiate other changes.”

In addition to the youth-only fishery, Busch also recommends the Palmer Fishing Rod Lender Program for those in need of fishing gear. The program loans spinning and fly rods free of charge to all anglers for up to a week. Checkout is at the Palmer Alaska Fish and Game office.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.