SOUTH FORK - There is no better way to celebrate Father’s Day weekend in South Fork than to gather the family and head out to the South Fork Youth Fishing Clinic on Saturday, June 15. For people with children under the age of 15, now is the time to make plans and head out for a day full of fishing.

The fishing clinic will be at Saddlebrook Pond. Registration is at 8 a.m. Several area businesses and volunteers come out for the event and help children learn the fundamentals of fishing in the Colorado wilderness. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) will be present to walk each child through several stations that range in angler techniques. Participating children who finish the clinic will be offered a new rod and reel from CPW at the end of the day. Lunch is provided at noon.

Officials usually begin by separating the participating children into groups that will venture from one station to the next. CPW representatives teach the young anglers about casting techniques, how to prepare their poles for fishing and how to bait their hooks. The children line up and either use their own poles or use poles provided by the CPW for the lesson before heading out with their family and friends to put new techniques learned to practice.

In addition to casting and pole basics, the children will be learning about rules and regulations from CPW officers. Volunteer officers sit down with each group and talk to them about the rules for fishing.

Officers explain that each child can keep up to four fish to take home on any given day, but that they could catch and release the fish as much as they wanted.

Other laws explained are that in certain areas, only specific fishing methods are allowed, like whether the location is open to lure fishing only or bait and lure techniques are allowed.

Officers emphasize the importance of having a parent check the regulations of certain areas before embarking on a fishing trip. The children will also learn that once they reach the age of 16, they must purchase a Colorado state fishing license to fish legally.

Saddlebrook Pond is across from Moon Valley along Highway 160 heading up Wolf Creek Pass. For more information or to get directions to the clinic, please contact the South Fork Visitor Center at 719-873-5512.