Fishing Truly Has No Boundaries

Klamath County Transition Program hosts first annual learn-to-fish event for people with disabilities

Let’s go fishing!

Registration is still open for Gone Fishing, a free all-day, learn-to-fish event for anyone in the Klamath Basin with a disability.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 4 at the Moore Park Pavilion. So far, 40 people have registered. The event is organized by Klamath County Transition Program in partnership with Pond Hopper Nation.

Gone Fishing participants will learn how to fish – how to set up their rods, how to cast and reel, and hopefully, how to land a fish. For those who catch fish, there will be a fish cleaning station where they can learn about the biology of a fish and watch professionals fillet them.

Registered participants will receive an event T-shirt, lunch, and a goodie bag. All fishing equipment will be provided.

“Our goal for this event is to give our population the opportunity to learn and participate in a great outdoor recreational activity that they can continue for their rest of their lives,” said Katey Limb, Youth Transition Program specialist, and event organizer. “Fishing truly has no boundaries and we want to be able to share that.”

The transition program, part of the Klamath County School District, serves students ages 18 to 21 with moderate to severe disabilities and helps them learn life skills needed to transition from a structured school environment into the adult world. These include post-second education, independent living skills, community involvement, and pre-employment training.

The event will provide outdoor games and activities as well as a barbecue lunch. The Klamath Falls Police Department and Klamath County Fire District are volunteering to barbecue and help with activities along with local representatives of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the BLM.

The event also will feature booths representing community organizations that provide services to people with disabilities, including employment, vocational training, and developmental disability services.

The program is part of the mission of the Klamath County Transition Program, Limb said, adding that she hopes to make it an annual event for the Klamath Basin.

“The main focus of our program is to help students with special needs lead a meaningful and fulfilling life,” she said, “whether that means to eventually get a job and become completely independent, or simply able to care for themselves in the hopes of living semi-independently in the future.”

Registration before Aug. 4 is encouraged so organizers know how much food and equipment is needed, but registration also will be taken the day of the event. For more information, to register, or to donate, click one of the following links:

http://www.pondhoppernation.com/klamathfalls.html - Event page and registration

https://www.facebook.com/events/247729165965279/ - Facebook Event page 

https://www.gofundme.com/ad9k2-gone-fishing - GoFund me page for the event

Press release provided from Marcia Schlottman, Public Relations, Klamath County School District.