University of Guam Sea Grant (UOGSG) and the Department of Agriculture’s Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources (DAWR) will teach basic fishing skills to youth ages 7-12 at a two-hour, free clinic this Saturday, August 5. The clinic runs from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at the Mangilao Mayor's Office softball field. Participants will learn how to tie knots, select bait, and use fishing rods.

Children should bring their own rods, reels, and floats. UOG Sea Grant will supply a limited number of rods and reels. DAWR and UOGSG especially encourage youth and their families having an interest in or new to fishing to attend the clinic.

"DAWR provides an excellent staff-to-participant ratio," said Assistant Instructor Marie Auyong of Sea Grant. "Kids and their families alike get personalized tips on how to fish safely and develop skills for the August 12 derby."

DAWR holds fishing clinics so that more youth can confidently compete in the annual Kids' Saltwater Derbies. The next competition is on Saturday, August 12 at Asan War in the Pacific Park.

For more information about the Kids’ Saltwater Fishing Clinic or Derby contact Brent Tibbatts at (671) 735-0289/0281/0294 and guamfishinfo@gmail.com or Marie Auyong at auyongm@triton.uog.edu.

The National Sea Grant College Program is a partnership between universities and the Federal Government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). To learn more about University of Guam Sea Grant, visit cnas-re.uog.edu.