Free fishing clinic offered

Oasis State Park is the site of Saturday’s 15th annual Kids Free Fishin’ Clinic.

The fishing clinic will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Any child 12 or older must have a valid New Mexico fishing license to participate.

Subjects include casting, ethics and conservation, water safety, fly fishing, fish cleaning, tackle identification, knot-tying, fly-tying, fish biology and aquatic invertebrates.

“The best thing is to see the parents and the kids out for a day of fun,” Jim Whary, park manager said.

One of the more popular stations is the fish-cleaning station which features salmon.

Vance Dewbre will be conducting the fly-tying station, which Whary says has been a favorite during past clinics.

The water safety station will be conducted by the boating officers from Sumner Lake.

Some tackle available and there will be a drawing for door prizes.

“Every participant will get a prize,” Whary said.

The lake will be stocked with rainbow trout that are raised at one of the northern fish hatcheries in New Mexico.

Participants are asked to bring canned food for a food drive.