If you've always wanted to put a "Gone Fishin' " sign on your door, but knew no one would believe you, the chance has arrived to change that.
A free fishing clinic will be offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 29 at Lakeside Lake, 8300 E. Stella Road, by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
"Fishing is about spending time outdoors with your family, away from the television and away from the electronic devices that dominate our homes,'' said Ti Piper, a sport fishing instructor who will lead the clinic.
Piper said people of all ages are welcome, including families with young children.
"It's time when you can slow down and enjoy the birds and enjoy the cooler weather in Tucson," he said.
Licensing fees will be waived during clinic hours for anyone who signs in with Game and Fish at the event.
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Fishing poles and free bait will be provided, and fishing instructions will be available for beginners.
"We just want an opportunity for them to try out fishing,'' he said. "When it's done, we hope you love it so much that you're going to go out and buy a fishing license."
Piper recommends participants take a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water and snacks or lunch. The lake is stocked with catfish, trout, monster carp, bluegill and sunfish, he said.
In addition to the clinic, Piper is also offering introductory fly fishing instruction for adults on the East Side.
Instruction includes a two-hour class and a four-hour field trip to a local urban lake. The minimum number of students per class is 15 and the maximum number is 20. Registration forms are available at Pima County Natural Resources, 3500 W. River Road, or at any Pima County community center. A registration fee of $10 must be paid when registering. For registration information, call 877-6290.
The fly fishing instruction opportunities include:
● A class from 10 a.m. to noon on Jan. 31 at the Lew Sorensen Community Center, 11100 E. Tanque Verde Road, and a field trip on Feb. 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at a Tucson urban lake.
● For women only, a class will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 3 at the Lew Sorensen Community Center, and a field trip will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 4 at a Tucson urban lake.
For more information on class content, contact Ti Piper at 609-0657 or e-mail him at fishedaz@earthlink.net.
