Inspiring a love of fishing, conservation, and the great outdoors

“It’s better to have a bad day fishing than a good day at work,” a popular phrase used by those who love the sport, representing the benefits of time spent outdoors and in nature. 

Fishing Klinics for Kids (FKFK) provides hands-on fishing instruction to children with a goal of introducing kids to the sport in a fun, safe, and educational environment. The clinics are free and include everything children need to get started: rods, reels, bait, safety gear, and guidance from experienced volunteers. 

“A lot of us on the committee have fished ever since we were old enough to hold a pole,” stated FKFK Assistant Manager Deb O’Flanagan.  

Fishing Klinics for Kids teaches more than just basic fishing skills, helping to instill a life-long love of fishing and environmental conservation. 

Saturday, June 14, marked the organization’s 28th event held at Sturges Park in Buffalo. Fishing Klinics for Kids founder Jim Wedell started the organization in 1995 with what began as a fishing seminar and grew into popular and well-attended events over its 30-year history. 

Led by passionate volunteers, many hands made for a great event, including members of the Buffalo Youth Anglers Club who helped run games and hand out prizes, the Buffalo Rotary Club who managed the registration of youth in attendance, and Wilderness Inquiry whose representatives taught canoeing skills before taking folks out for a paddle on the waters of Buffalo Lake. Buffalo Mayor Steve Downer kicked off the morning with an opening “Let’s go fishing” welcome to those in attendance.

Kids and parents were treated to a variety of hands-on, interactive, and educational opportunities with plenty of chances to spin prize wheels and win fishing gear, such as rods, reels, lures, and baits. 

Prize items were purchased through fundraising efforts, or donated from generous organizations, including the National Professional Anglers Association who provided 70 fishing rods. 

Professional angler Dan Jasper taught a fishing seminar and representatives from the University of Minnesota Raptor Center gave those in attendance an opportunity to get a close up look at a majestic bald eagle. 

A highlight of the day was the ever-popular fishing contest, giving youngsters and their parents a thrill while casting off the Buffalo Lake pier in hopes of landing a big-one. 

Fishing Klinics for Kids and its many volunteers provided a fun and educational experience for anglers of all ages and skill levels. 

The following Fishing Klinics for Kids information was provided by FKFK Assistant Manager Deb O’Flanagan:

Fishing Klinics for Kids is a nonprofit 501C(3) tax exempt incorporated organization that seeks to provide children with an opportunity for outdoor education. The following goals guide our work: To help children develop an understanding of the joys of fishing, to introduce them to fishing basic skills, and to learn about the need to preserve our natural resources and waterways.

 FKFK has grown from a fishing seminar in 1995 that attracted twelve kids and their parents, to helping educate over 100,000 kids at our events. Parents and grandparents who bring their children, more than double that number. 

This year marked our 30th year, and 28th year in Sturges Park. Our largest event is the annual Buffalo Days FKFK. We have over 100 volunteers helping in many ways to make it a fun and educational experience for the approximately 800-1,000 kids who attend. A fishing contest held on the pier attracts a large number of children. Children are provided with a fishing pole, bait, and have an opportunity to compete for prizes in their age category. In many cases the fishing contest provides children with their first fishing experience. Each child who registers for the event is given a goody bag with a variety of items in it. We give over 250 rod and reel combos away. The Minnesota DNR has declared this as the largest event of its kind in the State of Minnesota. There are many vendors, activities, gifts, prizes, fishing, and fishing pros who give seminars for the youth. 

 Other youth events held by FKFK are ice fishing in January and February, including the Kites on Ice on Buffalo Lake, youth expos in March, April, or May, and summer youth fishing. We have worked with, and helped, youth in different communities teaching them about fisheries, conservation, water clarity, and our precious natural resources. Each year, our board and committee members work diligently and volunteer many hours to ensure our programs are quality events. We want people to both enjoy them, and to learn something new. 

 FKFK won the Good Neighbor Award from WCCO in 2018 and is now in their Hall of Fame. Other awards the organization has received include the Rotary Foundation of International Rotary Paul Harris Fellow award and the National Recreation Park Association award.

 Financial donations help provide quality youth events at no charge to them. All donations go for event prizes, marketing, chair and table rental, road signs, equipment storage rental fees, ice fishing items, repair of equipment, fishing poles replacement, and more.

 We are always looking for people to volunteer and help with our events. If you are interested, please let us know. 

 You can learn more about FKFK at: www.fishingklinicsforkids.com or on the FKFK Facebook page.