More than two dozen people gathered at Quemahoning Reservoir Wednesday to learn how to safely kayak fish.
Kayak fishing has grown over 500 percent in popularity in the last year, and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and other organizations are now working to bring the sport to our region.
Avid fishers and kayakers came together to mesh the two sports in a first-of-its-kind class in the area.
“A lot of it is just allowing people who have maybe fished for their entire life to experience a new type of fishing; there is always a new way to do it," says Chad Foster of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
“There’s are so many new techniques. there are so many new ways to catch fish these days and the inexpensiveness of a kayak gets you on the water that much quicker,” said Foster.
The class focused on, technology and technique on the water and while officials hope you have fun while you're out, they also stress the importance of safety as well.
“I mean it's easy as young adults and even adults to get out on the water and feel comfortable like you can swim and you don't need a life jacket,” says Foster.
“But there are certain reasons why the life jackets save your life,” said Foster.
Officials say 18-year-old Joey Dubics was not wearing a life jacket when he drowned over two weeks ago. State law only requires adults to wear life jackets from Nov. 1. through April 30. Officials tell us always wearing a life jacket will put the odds of surviving a water accident in your favor.
“Life jackets are not any different than seat belts in automobiles,” says Lenny Lichvar of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
“The seat belt in the automobile won't guarantee that you will survive an accident, but they give you the odds in your favor. The life jacket doesn't guarantee you will be safe should a water accident occur but it puts the odds in your favor,” said Lichvar.
ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7y6iamqRfo7K4ecqasJqjXZu2tLTIp55mm5yWwLR5wK1kraCVYr62scyan6immaO0br7ErJyrrp%2Bevw%3D%3D