The 3rd Annual DownStream Fly Fishing Program conducted April 24th was created with the hope that through fly fishing Down Syndrome children can improve coordination, fine tune motor skills, boost social skills and attain a sense of accomplishment while having fun. Family members were encouraged to participate as well in order to promote on-going family activities in an outdoor environment.
Nineteen students attended, and there were enough volunteers at each of the 5 learning stations (casting, fly tying, knots, entomology and fish painting) for each student to receive individual attention. The 55 volunteers included four members from our chapter as well as members of several local fly fishing clubs. In addition to volunteering, the Chapter provided $2,000 (received from one of its members specifically for this event) to help defray the cost.
The event took place on a private ranch just outside Marysville which had a pond loaded with hungry rainbow trout. Every student landed a fish; some even landed 5 or 6!