BPS & Cabela's School of Fish concludes another big year!
Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s School of Fish has big 7th Year!
The Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s School of Fish, recognized by many as the leaders in kids fishing education, recently completed their 7th year of hosting fishing classes for kids, their parents, and other adults. School of Fish taught 22 open-water Schools in 2019 graduating 545 “water-ready” kids and had 221 adults attend as well!
“We went to several new destinations this year, but also returned to communities we’ve been to several times,” said Mike Frisch, one of the organization’s co-founders. “We think it speaks well of our program when communities have us back year after year!”
Started in Alexandria, MN in 2013 as an open-water fishing class, School of Fish was very well received and, due to requests, added School of Fish ON ICE that fall.
The Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s School of Fish has now taught 206 Schools in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North & South Dakota, Nebraska and has graduated 4,435 kids and over 1,300 adults have attended in its existence!
“Our goal continues to be to graduate water-ready kids who have the knowledge, skills, and equipment they need to get their fishing careers started,” stated Frisch. “Just as importantly, we try to provide that education and training in a fashion that excites them about our sport!”
Frisch also lauded the program’s sponsors in helping grow Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s School of Fish. “Our supporters, many of which have been with us from day one, continue to see great value in exposing kids and their families to fishing and the great outdoors. Their great support allows us to provide quality education and the fishing equipment needed to help our students get their fishing careers off to great starts,” Frisch concluded.
Because Frisch also hosts Fishing the Midwest television, one School of Fish graduate each year gets drawn from all class attendees to join him on a Fishing the Midwest TV episode. Twelve-year old Shanessa Densmore from Dassel-Cokato was this year’s winner. She recently had a great day on the water, catching several big largemouth bass! This segment will be part of Fishing the Midwest’s 2020 TV episodes.
In addition to Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s title sponsorship, other School of Fish sponsors include Larson FX Boats, Northland Fishing Tackle, Soderholm Insurance, KLN Family Brands, ShoreMaster, Lure Lock, Strike King, Lew’s, Diamond Buick GMC, Distinctive Cabinet Design, Hannay’s Marine, Artie’s Bait and Tackle, Fish On Kids Books, and Fishing the Midwest.
In addition, the National Professional Anglers Association and Future Angler Foundation teamed to provide rods and reels for each School of Fish graduate again this year!
To learn more about Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s School of Fish visit fishingthemidwest.com and select the “School of Fish” icon to be directed to the webpage. Once there, visitors can see the upcoming schedule as well as view an information video to learn more about the program.
Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s School of Fish is currently scheduling 2020 open-water classes. Contact schooloffish@outlook.com for more information.
Photo – Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s School of Fish graduate Shanessa Densmore with one of several largemouth bass she caught while filming an upcoming episode of Fishing the Midwest TV.