The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, along with Fishing’s Future, is excited to announce the Bass Pro Shops in Olathe as the site of the next angler education course on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013. The class will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Conservation Room on the second floor. There is no cost to attend; however pre-registration is required through the Fishing’s Future website (fishingsfuture.org). The Olathe Bass Pro Shops is located at 12051 Bass Pro Drive, Olathe, Kan. 66061.

“Conducting a Kansas Angler Instructor Certification Class at Olathe Bass Pro Shops provides a fun and professional atmosphere for our future instructors to learn in,” said KDWPT Community Fisheries Assistance Program coordinator Bryan Sowards. “We are grateful for Olathe Bass Pro Shops’ cooperation with our new Angler Education Program, and we hope to see many more events like this in the future.”

The Angler Education program, which was launched earlier this year, certifies anglers who successfully complete the course to teach fishing techniques within the state. Apart from becoming certified, participants will also be given valuable information regarding working with children, sample curriculums, and tips for preparing a class or clinic. Other subjects covered in the four-hour class include current fishing rules and regulations, species identification, fishing ethics, equipment, knot-tying, casting, fish habitat, aquatic nuisance species, and conservation practices.

“This class allows us to recruit fishing instructors who will eventually be able to act as volunteers on KDWPT's behalf, educating the public on fishing and the wonderful fishing resources our state provides,” said Sowards. “Kansas offers some of the best public fishing opportunities in the nation, and we think this is a great way for anglers to pass on their passion for fishing to those who may have yet to experience Kansas fishing.”

Anglers interested in registering for the Nov. 2 course can sign up by visiting fishingsfuture.org and clicking “upcoming events,” then “Kansas Angler Education Training Program.”

For more information, contact Fishing’s Future local coordinator Kevin Reich at kevin.reich@fishingsfuture.org, or by phone at (785) 577-6921.