The Future Fisherman’s Foundation is a group whose goal is to unite the sport fishing industry with conservation groups in North America to facilitate fishing programs for kids in North America.
In 2004 the Saskatchewan Association of Conservation Officers (SACO), a non-government, nonprofit organization made up of volunteer members who work as conservation officers within the Province of Saskatchewan decided to send two officers to a HOFNOD course to become instructors. The goal was to have these two officers return to Saskatchewan and instruct other officers so that the program could be established in Saskatchewan. Currently Saskatchewan is the only organization in Canada to be officially recognized as a partner with the Future Fisherman Foundation to commence delivery.
Since then SACO along with sponsors including: SaskTel, Cabela’s, Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, Weyburn Wildlife Federation, World of Whitetail and the Fish and Wildlife Development Fund has constructed two mobile trailers with various types of fishing equipment in it. The equipment is free to use and includes both open water and ice fishing gear, augers, shelters, heaters, lures and just about any other item needed to go fishing.
HOFNOD uses angling skill development as a gateway to teach youth about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and how to deal with the challenges facing them in their young lives. There is no better way to reconnect our children with nature than taking them fishing. Conservation officers are directly related to this activity as they are the front line faces that the public encounter while angling. Some children do not have the equipment to participate in an activity like angling, so officers are happy that we can provide the necessary education, equipment and hands on training so that kids can enjoy the day. If children enjoy angling when they are young, then they will enjoy it when they get older and get their children involved in angling.
The program runs throughout the year and SACO has two fully equipped trailers with one in the north, and one in the south. Any youth group can access the trailers and its equipment any time of the year. These groups include schools, Scouts, Girl Guides, and First Nations groups to name a few. Often the trailer is at special events which youth attend, provincial parks, youth fishing derbies, and schools. There is no cost for use of the trailer, and youth participating have access to all the gear inside the trailer. A conservation officer must be present if the trailer is being used. If a youth group is interested in having the HOFNOD trailer come to an event, please call any Ministry of Environment Field office or contact Rich Hildebrand at (306) 953- 2298 or [email protected] .
Instructors have had to vary the delivery of the courses based on the number of kids, location, and the amount of time that is allowed to put the course on. Regardless of the time, officers ensure that kids get to the water and wet the line. Hands on training include basic angling skills like: Fish identification, casting skills, equipment knowledge, knot tying, fish handling and safety to name a few.
