FLETCHERS LAKE: A free youth fishing program organized by Charlie Murphy will give students at Holland Road Elementary School in Fletchers Lake an opportunity to learn the basics of angling while building confidence, friendships and an appreciation for Nova Scotia’s outdoors.
Murphy was inspired to launch the initiative after watching his son, Keith, develop a love for fishing over the past couple of years.
This season, he saw Keith’s confidence grow as he learned to cast, select his own lures and baits, and catch his first smallmouth bass.
With his son now in Grade Primary at Holland Road Elementary, Murphy chose the school as a way to give back to the community where Keith is beginning his educational journey.
Principal Naomi Kelloway has supported the idea and helped distribute information and registration forms to families, although the program will operate outside school instructional hours and is not part of the school’s curriculum.
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The program will begin on land, where students will practice casting using hula hoops, learn simple fishing knots and receive instruction on the safe handling of hooks and lures before heading to the water.
Once at the lake, participants will learn how to read water and weather conditions and select appropriate equipment, including soft plastic worms, crankbaits, jerkbaits and topwater lures.
The lessons will also include the history of angling in Nova Scotia and Mi’kmaq fishing traditions.
Safety will be a priority throughout the program. Students will fish from shore wearing personal flotation devices (PFDs), learn how to conduct buddy checks and work in pairs or groups of three under the supervision of Murphy and volunteers.
Murphy, who runs and operates Bluenose Back Country Outfitters, is also seeking additional volunteers, including parents willing to help.
Teamwork and patience will be central to the experience. Fishing can be frustrating for beginners, but Murphy wants students to learn from their mistakes and help one another succeed.
He also plans to make environmental responsibility part of every outing, with students participating in shoreline cleanups and learning the importance of leaving fishing areas cleaner than they found them.
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For Murphy, the program is about more than catching fish. He hopes it will encourage young people to spend less time on screens, enjoy the outdoors and discover the benefits of being active in nature.
His interest in mentoring comes from his own experience as an apprentice and pipefitting skills coach with Irving Shipbuilding, where he enjoyed helping others develop their skills and passing along knowledge.
Murphy hopes to continue growing the program while keeping it free for families.
“We do not want any parent to feel they cannot put their child into our angler program and feel left out,” he said.
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He also hopes students who develop a lasting interest in fishing will eventually return as mentors, helping introduce the next generation to the sport.
Local businesses interested in sponsoring the program or contributing equipment and supplies can contact Murphy at 902-240-4613 or charlesmurphy21@hotmail.com.
For Murphy, success will not be measured by the size of a catch, but by whether students have fun, learn together and leave with a desire to keep fishing.
The ultimate goal is to build a community of young anglers in Nova Scotia, one cast at a time.
