Kids reel with excitement at annual fishing clinic



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Saturday, April 12th marks the 30th annual Spring Fishing Clinics for Kids on Wisconsin waterways. Clinics are held every hour starting at 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., and are free to all kids 15-years-old and younger.

Volunteers from local fishing club members organize and instruct the clinics throughout Milwaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha counties.

"If you ever go through an old family photo album, there are always pictures of fish in there. Those are memories that will last a lifetime. We're here to promote the family aspect of fishing," said Matt Coffaro, volunteer and DNR urban fish biologist.

Ken McGhee has taken his grandkids to the clinics for two years in a row and says the clinics create memories.

"That is a major focus for me and my wife right now, to create memories so the grandkids don't look up some years from now and say, 'I don't remember my grandfather,'" said McGhee.

The clinics give kids a chance to learn about fishing, equipment use, knot tying, safety rules, fish identification, and fishing techniques.

The DNR and local fishing clubs provide equipment for any kid who needs it. The event takes about 300 volunteers who help teach children about fishing.

"If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't even know how to be doing this right now," said McGhee's 11-year-old grandson, Jadius

This year was extra memorable for the pair. Jadius caught his first fish, ever, while his grandfather cheered him on.