Wednesday, November 4

7:30 - 8:30am Breakfast [included] - MONTELAGO II

8:30 - 9:15 Keynote Address: Every Drop. Every Fish. Every Angler - Evan Mosser & Elizabeth DePasquale, Fiesheries Biologists from Willow Beach, AZ Fish Hatchery

9:15 - 9:30 Break 

9:30 - 10:15 Concurrent Sessions

• Every Drop: Indigenous Art & Aquatic Education - Leilani Duenas, Guam  Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources -  MONTE VISTA

This presentation explores Gineftao, an Indigenous, art-driven approach to aquatic resource education in Guam. Learn how partnerships with museums, artists, fishermen, and community organizations transformed a cultural exhibit into a model for inspiring ocean stewardship and conservation.

• Every Fish: Thirty Pound Trout: Fishing Pyramid Lake - Jan Nemec, NV Dept. of Wildlife -  DESERTO

There's no other place in the world that offers the average angler a chance at a ten, twenty, and massive thirty-pound trout. The Lahontan Cutthroat Trout has rebounded from the brink of extinction and is thriving once again in Pyramid Lake. We’ll share some interesting history about the lake in addition to some unique shore angling methods used for hunting the world’s largest cutthroat trout.

• Every Angler: Increasing Scale and Capacity for Fishing R3 Events - Chase Newlon, AZ Game and Fish Department -  LAGO

Discover how Arizona leverages an extensive network of partners to expand the reach and impact of Fishing R3 statewide. This presentation explores the state’s partnership model, tools, and resources that support partner success, including annual R3 meetings, the FishAZ Network, partner training events, and Ethically Fishing Arizona. Learn how these collaborative efforts strengthen program delivery, increase participation, and generate measurable results in recruiting, retaining, and reactivating anglers.

10:20 - 11:05 Concurrent Sessions 

• Every Drop:  Recruitment, Retention, ad Reactivation (R3) is Conservation - Alec Young, AZ Trout Unlimited - MONTE VISTA

Bridging the world of fishing conservation and education through unique R3 initiatives, new efforts, new partnerships,  and new audiences.  This presentation explores opportunities to address gaps in the adoption sequence through collaborative events, integrate conservation into recreational activities, and examine the intended and unintended outcomes of combining these approaches. By connecting seemingly opposite pathways, we can attract new audiences, strengthen engagement, and encourage long-term participation in recreation and conservation.

• Every Fish: Teaching Strategies for  Where to Find Fish in the Habitat - Keira Quam, TX Parks and Wildlife Department - DESERTO

Many beginning anglers assume that casting farther means catching more fish. This session features a hands-on activity to help participants understand the habitat requirements of fish and the environmental factors that influence their location. Participants will explore how fish use their environment and learn to identify productive fishing spots by recognizing suitable habitat and understanding fish behavior, helping anglers make more informed decisions about where to cast and improving their fishing success.

• Every Angler: Rods, Reels, and Real Talk: Building a Volunteer Program to Support R3 Fishing Program Efforts - Alanna Newmark, NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection, Fish and Wildlife -  LAGO

Effective R3 fishing education programs can thrive without volunteers but engaging them can expand program capacity and improve quality amid limited staffing and funding. Clear expectations, policies, and procedures help prevent misunderstandings and align shared goals. However, successful volunteer management requires balancing structure with empathy and recognizing that volunteers bring diverse personalities and needs. Recruiting volunteers is only half the challenge; effectively managing them is equally important. Participants will leave this session with practical guidance for developing volunteer policies and anecdotal lessons in navigating human relationships. Strong volunteer programs require both structure and heart.

11:10 - 11:55 Concurrent Sessions 

• Every Drop: Does Fishing Make a Difference in Attitudes Towards Fishing, Conservation Behavior and Knowledge?  - Kimberly Sullivan,  RI Dept. of Environmental Management, Fish and Wildlife - MONTE VISTA

In 2025, Rhode Island surveyed 540 adults about their freshwater recreational fishing behavior, attitudes, knowledge, and pro-environmental behavior. This session presents those study findings, highlighting the potential role of recreational fishing engagement in fostering environmental stewardship and supporting freshwater resource conservation.

• Every Fish: Hands-on Activities to Bring TIC to Life Kurt Zeilenga, Trout Adventures & Jan Nemec, NV Dept. of Wildlife -  DESERTO

Trout in the Classroom provides a strong foundation for aquatic resource education, but learning can extend well beyond the aquarium. In this interactive session, participants will experience three classroom-tested activities that reinforce trout biology, aquatic ecology, and conservation while keeping students actively engaged throughout the school year. Educators will leave with ready-to-use activities that strengthen students’ understanding of key concepts and inspire lasting interest in fish, wildlife, and aquatic resource conservation.

• Every Angler: Fostering Lifelong Anglers Though Mentoring: Lessons and Recommendations - Adam Comer, TX Parks and Wildlife Dept.  - LAGO

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Angler Education program launched its Adult Mentored Fishing Program pilot in March 2026 and ran through July 2026. The program is designed to utilize a small-group setting of adult mentees paired with current Angler Education certified instructors or MENTORS, that plan and lead four sessions that include fishing education (casting, knots, fish ID, etc.) and actual fishing. In this session, I will provide a background on the development of the Adult Mentored Fishing program at Texas Parks and Wildlife from conception to its current iteration; share successes, challenges, and participant feedback, as well as goals for future outcomes and growth. The session will also include audience discussion and Q&A, with the goal of providing attendees with the opportunity to explore how they may integrate mentoring into their programming. 

Noon Lunch - To Go [included] - MONTELAGO II

12:30 - 5:00 Small Group Field Classes [sign-ups at registration]

• Bass Fishing- learn what warm waters are all about, with some basic bass fishing lessons or practice right outside the conference center.

• Fly Fishing- Sign up to save your spot to fly fish Southern Nevada. We'll show some tips and tricks for fly fishing out west.

• Fly Tying - Join Jan Nemec of Mimic Flies to tie some flies you can use to catch some difficult fish. He'll show you some awesome fly tying techniques and teaching tricks.

5:00 - 6:00 Free Time

6:00 - 7:15 Banquet [included] - MONTELAGO II

7:15 - 8:00 Awards & Sponsor Recognition - MONTELAGO II

8:00 - 10:00 Hospitality Room - PIAZZA