Seminar preps children for fishing tournament in Lakewood Ranch.
By
Pam Eubanks
| 12:36 p.m. February 23, 2020
East County
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Greenbrook 9-year-old Gavin Hackett and his 7-year-old brother, Callan, grinned as they held shiny new fishing rods Feb. 22.
They had learned how to be good fisherman, how to tie fishing knots and other basics of fishing during the Youth Fishing Seminar hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club at Greenbrook Adventure Park.
Gavin Hackett was particularly excited about his new knot-tying skills. When his family goes fishing, his dad, Steve Hackett, has had to tie the knots for him until now.
"The knots I normally do are like tying a shoe," Gavin Hackett said.
The Hackett boys were among about 100 children to attend participate in the seminar, which had morning and afternoon options. Children learned to tie knots, to assemble their fishing rods, to be good anglers and to cast correctly.
Many of the children, ages 5 to 15, will compete Feb. 29 in the Anglers Club's annual Youth Fishing Tournament.
Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club member and beach fisherman Steve Herich teaches the children how to be "good anglers" by caring for the environment and handling fish correctly.
Nine-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident Ryan Lahey learns to tie various knots used for fishing.
Two-year-old Adeline Giella, of Parrish, visits her dad, Kyle Giella, who taught children to cast and also brought his boat for children to see. He is a competitive fisherman.
Sammy and Shane Duran, of Parrish, practice the uni knot.
Four-year-old Owen Moseley, of Greenbrook, practiced his casting alongside his brother, Liam, 9, not pictured.
Five-year-old East County resident Ben Livingston honed his casting skills. It was only his second time fishing with his dad, Donnell Livingston.
Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club member Chris Crampton shows 6-year-old Francesco Guillermoni how to open the weight and connect it to the fishing line. Guillermoni said he needed to see it another time.
Gavin, Steve and Callan Hackett were excited to learn more about fishing — especially about how to tie knots.
Eight-year-old East County resident Tobias Guillermoni gets help with casting from Anglers Club member Mark Staddler.
Tyler and Leo Ozgun, of Lakewood Ranch, walked from their home in Greenbrook to attend the seminar. "I like to eat the fish," Leo Ozgun said.
Bradenton's Adalene Bailey, Elaina Bailey and Kylie Hindman were some of the only girls at the afternoon session.
