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Homemade Fishing Pole
Homemade Fishing Pole
Homemade Fishing Pole
How long it’ll take:
30-60 minutes depending on age of group and extensions
What the goal is:
Campers will make a homemade fishing pole using common items from home and nature
What the objectives are:
Identify parts of a fishing pole
Make a homemade fishing pole using household and nature items
Learn to tie hooks to line using the Improved Clinch Knot and/or Palomar Knot
What you’ll need (materials):
Work with families ahead of time to gather materials for pole/rod, bobber, and fishing line
Fishing pole/rod (something sturdy about 4 to 6 feet long - a stick or bamboo branch, broom handle, plastic rod, etc.)
Bobber (something relatively small that floats - empty plastic bottle, plastic easter egg, cork, foam ball, etc.)
Fishing line (actual fishing line or any kind of sturdy twine, yarn, string, floss, plant vines, etc.)
Fishing hooks (real hooks are sharpest and most humane)
Scissors or knife to cut fishing line
What you’ll do:
(Optional) Video:
(~7 minutes) Watch ahead of time and/or watch with campers a video from Virginia State Parks on how to make your own fishing pole (6:37) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDAsIbhf8R8
Make Fishing Pole
You can make your own fishing pole with just four parts! A pole/rod, a floating bobber, fishing line or string, and fishing hooks. Most of these items can be found around the home or in nature. Collect items sent from home/camp, or take a few minutes to gather items on site.
Measure and cut 15-20 feet of your chosen fishing line. (Hint: Your height is generally equal to your “wingspan” or fingertip-to-fingertip length, so campers can use their height/wingspan to help measure their fishing line!)
Attach the fishing line to the pole. First, tie the line to the bottom of the pole near the handle. Tying the line to the bottom of the fishing pole will help save your line and your fish if the pole breaks. Second, wrap the line around the pole a few times. Third, tie the line at the top of the pole.
Attach the bobber to the line. First, measure back about one to two feet from the end of the line. Second, tightly tie the line around the bobber using one or two knots so it will not come untied in the water.
Tie the fishing hook to the fishing line using the Improved Clinch Knot or Palomar Knots. Younger campers may prefer a simple overhand knot. Youngest campers may not yet be able to tie their own knots. Assist younger campers or supervise older campers in regards to sharp hooks.
(Optional - see “Craft Extension” below): Create a fishing lure to help attract the fish.
Go fishing! Head to the Go Fish activity for instructions on how to catch fish with campers.
(Optional): LNT element? Debrief Ideas? Extension?
LNT Element
1: Plan ahead and prepare - campers plan ahead and prepare for the materials they will bring to help make their fishing poles
3: Dispose of waste properly - campers make sure to clean up all waste and extra materials like fishing line
7: Respect other visitors - respect each other as supplies are shared
Debrief Ideas
1. What are the four basic parts of a fishing pole? (Pole/rod, fishing line, bobber, fishing hook)
2. What other items could we have used for each part of the fishing pole?
3. In what situations might you need to make your own fishing pole?
Extension
Go Fishing!
Go Fishing!
Go Fish!
How long it’ll take:
30 minutes minimum, with potential to last for one or more hours depending on engagement
What the goal is:
Campers will be able to catch and identify fish using a personal or homemade fishing pole.
What the objectives are:
Safely catch fish using a fishing pole or net
Identify common local fish (Colorado and California)
Demonstrate LNT in regards to fishing
What you’ll need (materials):
Fishing pole (camper’s personal fishing pole or homemade pole made in Homemade Fishing Pole activity)
Fish Bait (something tasty like fish bait, a piece of candy, hot dog, or bite of your peanut butter sandwich)
Colorado or California Guide to Common Fish
Fishing License: CO and CA require fishing licenses for anyone 16+ (for both fish and crayfish). You can sidestep this if you are at a private body of water or are NOT using real hooks.
What you’ll do:
Environmental Briefing
Fishing comes with risks! Factors to consider are…
Transitioning from land to water
Fish hook and pole awareness when casting line, catching fish, cleaning/storing hooks, and resting
Fun Fact
A group of fish is called a “school”!
Time of Day
When possible, aim to fish earlier in the day when water temperatures are cooler. This is less stressful on the fish than fishing in higher temperatures and increases its chances of survival after catch and release.
Finding Fish
Fishing is like a game of hide and seek… and fish know all the best spots to hide! Before you can catch a fish, you have to find it. Here are some tips for locating fish in lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers.
Coverage - look for areas with protective coverage where fish can hide from predators, such as weeds, lily pads, rocks, submerged brush and vegetation, etc.
Change in water depth - look for areas where water depth changes from shallow to deep, preferably an area with a steep dropoff.
Current - look for areas of slow moving water. These areas require less energy for fish to swim against the current and are also common feeding grounds for schools of fish.
Critters - look for areas where wildlife are hunting for food in the water, like a bird bobbing or diving into the water, or a grizzly bear catching spawning salmon (not really!)
Go Fish!
Bait your line. Add a small amount of fish bait, bread, candy, or other tasty treat to the hook. Aim to use artificial or “dead” bait; live bait (like worms or crickets) is more likely to be swallowed by the fish and cause internal damage from the hook during catch and release fishing.
Cast your line. How you cast the line will depend on the type of fishing pole and reel that is used. You will likely encounter either a push button reel (for younger kids with smaller rods), a spinning reel (for older kids with larger rods), or the homemade fishing pole you made in the Homemade Fishing Pole lesson. If you are unfamiliar with how these reels work, start with the following resources:
Push Button Reel: How To Cast Push Button Fishing Reels For Kids (2:10)
Spinning Reel: How To Cast For Kids | Learn How To Cast A Spinning Rod EASY! (1:48 plus bonus “catfishing” after)
Homemade Fishing Pole: Make Your Own Fishing Pole (0:35)
If campers are new to fishing and casting line, consider first practicing in an open space like the park or backyard. Try to choose a practice area with no obstacles for the line to get caught on, like trees, playground equipment, or people. Practice aiming at targets to improve accuracy. Remember, casting takes patience and practice to master!
If you’re new to fishing or want to learn more about basic casting techniques, here are additional resources to consider:
Set the hook. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between a fish on your line and your hook being pulled on by something like a branch or the current. There are a few clues to know if you’ve actually got a fish on your line, such as your bobber going completely under water, your line quickly swimming off to one side, or feeling a firm tug on the end of the line.
When you think you have a fish on your line, it’s time to set the hook! Use a firm, swift, upward sweeping motion with the rod to secure the fish hook into the fish’s mouth. You may need to try this a few times to make sure this fish is hooked.
Additional resources:
How to Set the Hook (1:29)
Fishing Basics: Setting the Hook (1:24)
Reel in the fish. Once the fish is hooked, it will start to swim away; let the fish continue to swim until it slows or stops and is no longer taking out line. As soon as this happens, lift the top of the rod up to a 45 degree angle from your body, keeping the line tight. Then, lower the tip of the rod back down toward the water while simultaneously reeling in line. Repeat this motion of lifting the top of the rod up, then reeling in line as you lower the tip toward the water. Try to keep a firm, even pressure on the line - too much slack in the line and the hook may become dislodged and the fish could get away. Reel in the fish until it is close enough to reach from shore, leaving a few feet of line at the end of the rod.
Additional Resources:
How To Reel In A Fish (1:31)
How to Reel In A Fish For Beginners (4:33)
Catch and release. Now the moment you’ve been waiting for - time to land that fish! Before you bring the fish to shore, make sure you have a plan to quickly return the fish to water, or have a large enough container of water waiting on shore in which to fully submerge the fish.
With wet hands, firmly but without squeezing, hold the fish behind the head and gills, around the belly. Avoid grabbing or touching the gills, and look out for sharp dorsal fins found on some species of fish. Carefully remove the hook by pulling backwards on the bend in the hook using your hands or plyers. Take a moment to admire your catch and be proud of your hard work and patience!
When you’re ready to return your fish to the water or water-filled container, release it directly into the water (instead of dropping it into the water). If the fish is stressed, hold it in the water facing the current, and gently wiggle it back and forth to force water through its gills. When the fish seems calm enough to swim away, it is time to release. Wave goodbye to your new fishy friend!
Additional Resources:
Fishing Basics: Landing a Fish (1:21)
How to Release a Fish Properly (1:57)
Tips for Catch and Release
Remember, this is a stressful event for the fish! Most catch and release fatalities are a result of injury and stress, so be sure to use proper equipment and handle the fish carefully. Take precautions to minimize the impacts of catch and release on the fish using the following techniques.
Minimize the time the fish is out of the water - no more than one minute.
Use appropriate fish hooks - hooks should be sharp; single hooks and barbless hooks leave the cleanest and smallest puncture wound and are easiest to remove.
Avoid using live bait (like worms or crickets) as fish are more likely to swallow these, leading to internal organ damage from hooks.
Avoid using nets to catch fish, as nets may damage gills, scales, or fins.
Make sure your hands are wet if you want to hold and examine the fish. This preserves the protective slimy mucus covering the fish.
Additional Resources:
How to Properly Catch and Release a Fish (3:34)
If you are unsuccessful catching a fish using traditional methods, you may consider a nice lure or jig, like so: C'mon Get In The Boat Fish
(Optional): LNT element? Debrief Ideas? Extension?
LNT Elements
1: Plan ahead and prepare - Where will you fish? What are the area fishing regulations? What do you need to bring? What will you do with your catch?
2: Travel and camp on durable surfaces - Consider your location and how you will get there. Stay on the trail and minimize impact on fishing sites.
3: Dispose of waste properly - Clean up after yourself and be conscious of waste like fishing lines, hook, and spare bait.
6: Respect wildlife - Respect proper catch and release techniques to minimize stress on fish
7: Be considerate of other visitors - Give space to other fishers. Don’t cross another angler’s line. Don’t scare away the fish.
Debrief Ideas
Where might you be most likely to find fish in the water? (Hint: 4 Cs)
How do you safely cast your fishing line?
What are the five steps to successfully landing a fish?
Name at least three ways you can make catch and release safer for the fish?
How does patience play a role in fishing? What did you learn about patience today?
Field Guide! Make a field guide for each type of fish you catch. Refer to the Make a Field Guide activity for directions on setting up your book. Consider adding the following information to your field guide:
Picture
What kind of fish is it?
Give it a nickname!
What does the fish look like? Include color, size, and body parts like fins or gills.
What is the fish doing (behaviors)?
Where was it found/what is its habitat?
Fish Art!
Draw a picture of your fish! Get up close and personal by drawing the details of the fish, or check out the big picture by drawing the fish in its habitat.
Make a fish nature mural using materials from nature like leaves, rocks, moss, bark, or sticks. Recreate a fish you caught today, or design your own!
Fishing Contest!
Have a competition to see who can catch the most fish or the most fish of a certain species.
Additional extension ideas for future development…
Movement game like fish tag
Hunting, fishing, and sustainability; local foods
Ecosystems and food webs
More in-depth arts and crafts projects similar to Explorer Camp style crafts
Crawdadding
Crawdadding
Catching Crayfish
How long it’ll take:
20 minutes minimum with potential to last for one or several hours depending on engagement and extensions
What the goal is:
Campers will be able to safely catch crayfish.
What the objectives are:
Catch crayfish
Demonstrate LNT in regards to catching crayfish
What you’ll need (materials):
There are several ways to catch crayfish, so choose your materials based on your method of catching.
String, twine, fishing line, or other narrow rope
Small stick, safety pin, or fish hook
Personal or homemade fishing pole
Fishing net
Bug viewing box or magnifying glass
Containers to catch and store crayfish (like food storage containers, large bowls, or buckets)
Bait (fish bait or pieces of meat like hot dogs or chicken work well)
Fishing License: See earlier comments in ‘fishing’ about when/where you need a license.
What you’ll do:
Environmental Briefing
Transitioning from land to water
Hazards in water streams, hazards in urban water streams. Note: many urban streams contain leeches, glass debris, etc. and should be avoided if hazardous.
Crayfish have claws!
Fun Facts about crayfish
Crayfish are also called crawfish, crawdad, crawdaddy, river crab, mountain lobsters, or mudbugs.
There are over 330 different species of crayfish!
Crayfish and lobsters are NOT the same animal, although they look alike and are closely related! Crayfish are smaller and usually live in freshwater like rivers, while lobsters are larger and live in salt water like oceans.
Crayfish are indicator species, meaning they can help tell you whether the water is clean or polluted. Crayfish need clean water to survive, so finding lots of crayfish likely means a clean stream! Crayfish also help to clean the water by feeding on algae, bacteria, and decaying materials.
Crayfish come in different colors. Red and brown are the most common, but blue and white crayfish also exist.
Crayfish are old. Scientists have found evidence of crayfish from over 100 million years ago!
Finding Crayfish
Crayfish live in still or slow moving bodies of freshwater, like ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams. They are most likely to be found near the shallow edges of the water, hiding under cover like vegetation or rocks. Move rocks and vegetation very slowly so as to not scare away the crayfish. They are most active at night but can still be found during the day.
Catching Crayfish
There are a few popular methods for catching crayfish:
String and Bait
Tie a small stick, safety pin, or fishing hook to the end of a piece of string, or use a personal or homemade fishing pole. Attach a piece of bait to the stick, pin, or hook, and lower the bait into the water a couple inches from the bottom. Watch or feel for a tug to indicate the crayfish has grabbed onto the line. Slowly pull the crayfish to shore and place it in a container of water. A net can be helpful to scoop the crayfish from the line to prevent escape.
Net or Container
Locate a crayfish in the water. Crayfish swim backwards, so place a net or container behind the crayfish. Urge the crayfish backward into the net with a stick or wave of the hand. Place your catch into a container of water.
By Hand
Crayfish can be easy to catch by hand - just mind the claws! If the crayfish is small, simply reach into the water and cup it between your hands. For larger crayfish, use your thumb and index finger to pick it up behind the head and pinchers. Place into a container of water.
Crayfish Trap
See the Homemade Crayfish Trap activity for directions on making your own trap.
Place bait to attract crayfish and something heavy like rocks to weigh down the trap, then secure the trap door. Place your trap in the water so that it lays on the bottom of the river and does not float away. For added security, tie a line from the trap to a sturdy point on shore. Time to wait! The longer you can wait, the better luck you will have catching crayfish. If possible, leave the trap in the water for a couple hours, or even overnight if you are able to.
After some time has passed, retrieve your trap and take a look inside. Hopefully you have a trap full of crayfish and a bunch of happy campers! If not, consider how you might modify your trap or placement to try again. If so, observe the crayfish directly in the trap, or transfer them to a container of water.
Storing and Releasing Crayfish
Crayfish can be kept fully submerged in a container of water while you’re catching others or making observations. It’s okay to store multiple crayfish in the same container, but watch for signs of aggression if they feel territorial. If crayfish begin to fight, separate them into a new container or release them back into the water.
When you’re ready to release your crayfish, place them back in the water, and watch them swim away. Bon voyage!
(Optional): LNT element? Debrief Ideas? Extension?
LNT Elements
LNT Elements
1: Plan ahead and prepare - Where will you look for crayfish? What do you need to bring? What will you do with your catch?
2: Travel and camp on durable surfaces - Consider your location and how you will get there. Stay on the trail and minimize impact on crayfishing sites.
3: Dispose of waste properly - Clean up after yourself and be conscious of waste like fishing lines, hook, and spare bait. Take any traps, containers, or other equipment home with you.
4: Leave what you find - leave crayfish in their habitat and do not take home as pets.
6: Respect wildlife - Respect proper catch and release techniques to minimize stress on crayfish.
7: Be considerate of other visitors - Give space to others. Don’t scare away the crayfish.
Debrief Ideas
What helped you in catching crayfish today? If you didn’t catch any, what might you do differently next time?
(If using multiple methods) What method of catching crayfish was most or least successful?
How does patience play a role in crayfishing? What did you learn about patience today?
Extension Ideas
Field Guide! Add crayfish to your aquatic animals field guide. Refer to the Make a Field Guide activity for directions on setting up your book. Consider adding the following information to your field guide:
Picture
What kind of animal is it?
Give it a nickname!
What does the crayfish look like? Include color, size, and body parts like legs or antenna.
What is the crayfish doing (behaviors)?
Where was it found/what is its habitat?
Crayfish Art!
Draw a picture of the crayfish! Get up close and personal by drawing the details of the crayfish, or check out the big picture by drawing the crayfish in its habitat.
Make a crayfish nature mural using materials from nature like leaves, rocks, moss, bark, or sticks.
Make an aquarium! Make a mini habitat for the crayfish in an empty container. Try to have your habitat mimic the crayfish’s natural habitat. Make sure the crayfish is completely submerged in water!
Homemade Crawdad Trap
Homemade Crawdad Trap
Homemade Crayfish Trap
How long it’ll take:
30-60 minutes
What the goal is:
Campers will make a homemade crayfish trap using common items found at home.
What the objectives are:
Make a homemade crayfish trap
Learn knife skills* (Optional - this depends on the age of the campers and consent from their parents)
What you’ll need (materials):
One plastic bottle per trap
Use a clear water, soda, or juice bottle that does NOT have a handle on it
Most types of bottles will work, but larger bottles with larger mouths will allow you to catch more and larger crayfish
Good (16-20oz): Better (2 liter): Best (1 gallon):
Sharp knife and scissors
A sharp pocket knife or box cutter work best, but a sharp steak or kitchen knife will work too (no butter knives)
Thinner plastic like 16oz or 2 liter bottles can also be cut with scissors
Duct tape
Sturdy line or string, like fishing line, twin, or a paracord
Bait (fish bait or a meaty bait like hot dogs or cat food work very well)
What you’ll do:
Note: Depending on the age campers and/or comfort level of parents, you may need to do some, most, or all of the cutting
Modified directions and images from Ace Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkSo4x3260o&t=306s
And Jordyn Blair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfvmPW5Jf2g
Environmental Briefing
Using knives or scissors
Making the Trap
Remove all caps, labels, handles, etc. from the bottle.
Cut the top off of the bottle so that the top of the bottle makes a cone. Turn the top upside down, and place it in the body of the bottle. This is where the crayfish will crawl into the trap - if using a smaller bottle, you can also cut off the mouthpiece of the bottle to create a larger hole. Use duct tape to secure the cone to the body of the bottle.
Cut a 3-sided “trap door” into the side of the bottle. This is where you will load in bait and weights as well as empty the crayfish catch.
Cut a small hole anywhere on the bottle. Run a string through the hole, then double knot the string so it cannot slip through the hole. This is how you will help secure and retrieve your trip, so you may want to complete this step at the water so you know how long to cut your string.
Placing the Trap
Through the “trap door”, place bait to attract crayfish and something heavy like rocks to weigh down the trap. Tape the trap door shut with duct tape. You will reopen the trap door later so make sure you can get back into it.
Place your trap in the water where you think you’ll have luck finding some crayfish. Make sure it lays on the bottom of the river and does not float away. For added security, tie a line from the bottle to a sturdy point on shore.
Time to wait! The longer you can wait, the better luck you will have catching crayfish. If possible, leave the trap in the water for a couple hours, or even overnight if you are able to.
Checking the Trap
Time to check the trap! Retrieve your trap and take a look inside. Hopefully you have a trap full of crayfish and a bunch of happy campers! If not, consider how you might modify your trap design or placement to try again. If so, observe the crayfish directly in the trap, or transfer them to a container of water.
When you’re ready to release the crayfish, gently place them in the water and watch them swim away. Bye bye crayfish!
(Optional): LNT element? Debrief Ideas? Extension?
LNT elements
1: Plan ahead and prepare - gather supplies ahead of time. What supplies are needed?
3: Dispose of waste properly - clean up after yourself and leave no waste behind; repurposing plastic bottles to recycle them into something new!
7: Respect other visitors - respect each other as supplies are shared
Debrief ideas
Explain what each part of the trap is for (cone/mouth, trap door, string)
When might you need to use an animal trap, crayfish or otherwise?
Do you think this type of trap can catch other kinds of animals? If so, what kind?
Extension
Art Extension: Have campers decorate their traps with sharpies or non-toxic paints.
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