OSHKOSH, Wis. — Thanks to the nonprofit Learn 2 Fish With Us program, some Oshkosh fifth-grade students had the opportunity to get out of class and go after a whopper.
Excitement rose from the piers early when Parker Plato got into one. Program founder Greg Karch grabbed the net and helped him land the fish.
“He caught a largemouth bass,” said Karch.
Karch started holding free fishing clinics in 2006 to share moments like this with others.
“You saw how big that mouth was, right?” Karch asked Plato. “Were the teeth like sandpaper?”
Karch walked a hesitant Plato through the steps of holding the bass and took his photo.
“It took him a while, but he did hold the fish all by himself, which is what we want to teach these youth. Grandma and grandpa don’t want to see us in the picture. They want to see their youth or grandchild with that fish,” explained Karch.
Karch is an experienced professional fisherman, but in 2015, he focused on sharing his passion for the sport.
“Our mission is to grow the sport of fishing by educating and inspiring beginning and experienced anglers,” said Karch.
But before a line even hit the water, volunteers handed out life vests, and Karch went over basic safety instructions, which seemed to have paid off.
“This is my 405th event, and you know what? We have never had a barb (hook) pierce the skin,” said Karch.
The wind and inexperienced anglers at Menominee Park in Oshkosh led to some tangled lines. Karch and the volunteers worked through each snag and got the students back on track.
“I love fishing. I still remember, when I was 10 years old and fishing with my best friend Don, and just knowing all the joy and fun it brought to me,” said Karch. “Hopefully, what we can do is show, especially the nonfishermen, how much fun it can be.”
Jaxson Rufer of Oaklawn Elementary made it all look easy. Jaxson Rufer had the first catch of the session, a pumpkinseed he released after getting photographed by Karch.
“I thought I was going to get him. I knew I was going to get it because it just bit. I just reeled in. Then I got it,” said Jaxson Rufer.
Jaxson Rufer’s dad volunteered to help his son’s class and praised the program.
“This is amazing. Just the fact they got to come out here with their school and do this. He (Karch) does this all on his own volunteer time, and he got everything together. It’s just a great program and fun for the kids,” said Derek Rufer.
Karch said the volunteers and donations from sponsors help keep the bobbers bouncing.
“If we didn’t have volunteers, I couldn’t do this. We’re just so lucky to have people who want to give back, just like I do. That way we can share our passion and make a difference,” said Karch.
Karch also gives free fishing advice through his website and social media channels.
“We work with the whole gamut. This year we’ve expanded where we’re going to be working with mentally challenged adults and trying to get them out fishing,” said Karch.
Not every student brought in a fish, but thanks to Karch and his volunteers, they learned some valuable lessons outside of the classroom.