Passport to Texas

Go Fish! In Texas State Parks

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This is Passport to Texas

Fishing dates back 40-thousand years. While we started as nomadic hunter-gatherers, archeological analysis indicates most permanent settlements were established near water, where fish became a primary food source. Today, fishing is not so much about survival as it is about connecting with nature and family. But most people are out of touch with the activity. And for them, we have Go Fish! events at State Parks.

At a Go Fish! event, they’re typically going to have a chance—after they’ve gone through learning stations—to borrow some equipment and fish there on the site.

Caleb Harris, Texas Parks and Wildlife’s aquatic education training specialist, says Go Fish! events take place at state parks year-round and are self-paced.

They normally have about five learning stations they learn how to assemble their fishing gear. The next station they may learn how to identify certain fish. So, they’ll go through those learning stations, and when they finish that, they normally have a check-list, and they come back up to the table and get their award for learning how to fish, and then can borrow some fishing poles.

Harris says it takes about 30 to 45 minutes to go through all the stations; those who do get an award and an opportunity to put their new found skills into practice.

We really hope they leave there [the Go Fish! Event] much more comfortable with the sport of fishing, and ready to try it out on their own.

Find Go Fish! events near you in the calendar section of the Texas Parks and Wildlife website…and get ready to get hooked. The Sport Fish Restoration program supports our series.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Celebrating 30 Years of Texas Parks and Wildlife Television

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A generation grew up watching the Texas Parks and Wildlife PBS TV series. Now, a new generation is joining them.

The thing that I consider the most special part about the Texas Parks and Wildlife [TV] show, is that I’ve never seen my daughter’s face light up so much as when she hears that opening song.  It doesn’t matter which room in the house my daughter is in, as soon as she hears those opening notes, she comes running in, because she knows the animal show’s on.

Josh Havens, Texas Parks and Wildlife Director of Communications, says 2016 marks the series’ 30th anniversary, and viewers of all ages are invited to commemorate this milestone.

We are holding a contest to commemorate that anniversary; a chance to give our viewers an opportunity to be part of that show that they’ve supported for so long. To enter is simple. In 250 words or less, you pitch us an original story idea for a feature segment. If your idea wins, you get the choice of either being on the show itself, or being on the film crew.

The winner also receives over $2-thousand dollars in prizes.

We’re looking for stories that can take individuals from their everyday indoor life, and introduce them to a world that is outside, and that tells the story of why Texas’ wild places and wild things are so unique.

Deadline for entries is May 31, 2016. Find complete contest rules and online entry form on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.