Fishing Derby

The Upton 4-H Club

held its First-Ever

Youth Fishing Derby
this morning at Pratt Pond / Kiwanis Beach in Upton!

35 kids, ages 3-15, showed up and braved the chilly weather! It was lots of fun and we're already working on plans for next year! Everyone received a 4-H participation ribbon! Lots of special ribbons were awarded for the top 5 biggest fish of each species caught, and prizes of fishing equipment were awarded for the top 2 fish of each species! There were 6 species caught in all: Blue Gill, Large Mouth Bass, Perch, Trout, Pickerel, Calico Bass.

Click here to see a slideshow of the event!


Participants, with their ribbons and prizes,
at the end of the Derby. (click the photo for a bigger view!)

October Meeting Info

At the next meeting of The Upton 4-H Club (October 3, 2008) Jeff LeClaire from Fin&Feather Sports will be here to teach us the basics of freshwater fishing!

The first half of our meeting will include learning what species of fish live in Pratt Pond, and how to identify them, what items you should bring to our upcoming Fishing Derby, and how to cast a line!

This promises to be a fun event!

During the second half of the meeting we will be working on RECORDS! They are due at the Worcester County Office by Monday, November 3rd! Click here for access to editable record forms. Please bring a copy of your 4-H Story (a requirement for your completed records) to our next meeting, even if it is only a very rough draft. We can share stories and help each other with editing. You have one month left to complete the final draft!

Announcing the *NEW* Outdoor Adventure Program . . .

. . . starting this Fall!

HIKING ... FISHING ... ARCHERY ... CANOEING & KAYAKING!

• We will be hiking local trails throughout Upton and surrounding area parks.
  
  
• We will be learning and/or fine tuning our fishing skills, and learning about equipment specifically for fishing our local waters.
  
  
  
  
• The 1st Annual Upton 4-H Club Youth Fishing Derby
  will be held Sunday, Oct 19th from 9am-12noon!
  
  Mark your calendars and Pre-Register at Fin & Feather Sports beginning on September 20th!
  

• We will learn the basics of archery, and shooting arrows on a safe archery range *Participants will be divided into age groups for range time.
  
  Limited slots available per group. Minimum age of 8yrs old to participate w/parents in attendance.
  
  
• This winter we hope to have an Ice Fishing clinic and an afternoon gathering of ice fishing on Pratt Pond.
  
  
• In the Spring, we will bring canoeing and kayaking to the group. Learn the basics of kayaking and canoeing for the whole family!

There will be a small cost for taking part in the Outdoor Adventure Program events. (You must first be a 4-H member in good standing.) We are looking into some funding options, grants, etc, and will be buying equipment in bulk to keep expenses to a minimum.

We are still working out all the particulars, so please stay tuned! Jeff LeClaire, owner of Fin and Feather Sports in Upton, will be coordinating this Program, but he needs your help to make it happen!!! Please let him know that you're willing to help get this program going!

He may be contacted through email at: jeffleclaire@verizon.net