Sylvia Bonetti, a member of the Boyers Sportsmen's Association, gives some fishing instructions to two young anglers during the club's recent Family Fun Day.

Waterway Conservation Officer Jon Kay worked his way through the crowd of anglers and observed them closely. He wasn't looking for scofflaws of the fishing rules; he was trying to see if any of the dozens of children might need assistance with their fishing tackle.

Kay and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission are on a mission to develop a strong future for the outdoor water sports of fishing and boating.

On this day, with the cooperation of the Boyers Sportsmen's Association, nearly 100 people enjoyed the use of the club's facilities, and trout fishing was the focus for a Family Fun Day.

"We are looking to build a much greater interest with children and women in the water sports," Kay said. "If families take an interest in doing activities that they can all enjoy, then we will have successfully completed our mission and have new generations of outdoor enthusiasts appreciating and protecting the resource."

The commission provides hands-on educational components and tackle-loaner programs, and Kay brought fishing rods, reels the and tackle needed for the event.

Each child was given booklets, posters and fun-filled educational materials so they can learn more about the fishing resource.

The Boyers Sportsmen provided bait, prizes for all the children in attendance and a free lunch for everyone. Who said there isn't such a thing as a free lunch anymore?

The Boyers Sportsmen will try to keep this activity as part of their annual events and encourage other clubs and organizations to come on board.

Club member Sylvia Bonetti, who is an education major at Slippery Rock University, put it best: "It's all about the kids. One boy told me it was the best day of his life".

Kay also has initiated a Butler County Landowner Program to help keep private land open for angling opportunities. With the assistance of the Butler City Hunting and Fishing Club and the Boyers Sportsmen's Association, Kay has developed and bought the Butler County Landowner Cap.

This cap is highly recognizable to anglers as a symbol of participating landowners who keep their property open for fishing.

Kay gives great emphasis to these landowners in providing services to help keep their land trouble-free and angler- friendly. This program is one of the first in the commonwealth and appreciated by the landowners.

"Too many posted signs means doom for angler activities on local trout streams," Kay said. "We no longer stock one stream in Northern Butler County due to such problems."

For information on how you can get involved, contact the commission's Northwest Region office or regional sportsmen's clubs.

The free programs in Butler County include Fish for Free Days on Saturday and on June 3 for all those interested in trying fishing for a day. No fishing license is required on these days, and everyone is invited to try their hand at fishing.

The Butler County Youth Field Days will be held at the Butler City Hunting and Fishing Club June 2. This daylong event is filled with all kinds of outdoor experiences for children.

You can participate in the program by calling the Game Commission at 814-432-3187 Pre-registration is required, but there is no fee.

If this program is filled, you can attend one of the other county programs in the region.

Jay E. Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.