EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Members of the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies spent their Friday fishing on the lake with kids in East St. Louis.
There’s an old proverb that says “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Friday’s lessons to both first-time fishers and returning ones included rods, reels, and how to cast a line.
“It’s a beautiful day even when the fish aren’t hitting,” says Dee Toombs, conservation education representative at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “Fish are not like us. We have a tendency to eat throughout the day, all day. Fish eat when they’re hungry. So, you have to make sure you bring your patience with you because they don’t always hit when you throw your line out in the water.”
Students ranged from second grade to high school.
“Fishing is America’s pastime,” says Jarran Riley, Master Sergeant Illinois State Police. “Biggest thing you’re learning from fishing is patience…you have to learn how to be quiet, relax, enjoy the nature that’s out here today…it’s a little hot out, which might add to people’s irritability. But in order for you to be a good fisherman you have to have patience.”
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is hosting the Southern Illinois Urban Fishing Program at Frank Holton Park through August. Two clinics are held Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. All fishing equipment is provided.
