Optimist Club of Washington held annual fishing clinic Saturday

AINSWORTH - Hunter and Peyton Septer may only be five years old but they are well on their way to being fishing experts. The twins were just two of many kids who cast lines at Marr Park on Saturday as part of the Optimist Club of Washington's annual fishing day.

Travis Septer, the boys' dad, said as a family they enjoy spending a lot of time outdoors. As a kid, Septer learned to fish from his own dad so teaching his kids is a way to create lasting memories, he said.

'It's a chance to bond and show them something outside rather than sitting inside and playing on a tablet,” he said.

Don Pfeiffer, president of the club, said getting kids into the outdoors is what the day is all about.

After a successful event last year, the club decided to host the outing again and with the 73 degree weather at 9:30 a.m., it was a perfect day to enjoy the park, he said.

'It's an easy place to fish because they're here all the time. You can catch fish every time you get here,” he said.

Kids were encouraged to bring their own gear if they had it, but extra poles and lures were borrowed from the Washington County Conservation Center as well. Members were there to assist and teach those who had less experience than others, he said.

The motto of the Optimist Club is 'friend of youth” which made a day of fishing the perfect way to spread some knowledge, he said. With many members having an extensive knowledge on fishing, it gave them an opportunity to bond.

Just 30 minutes into the clinic and Will Laverman, six, caught his first Bass. Laverman's mom, Stephanie, said they attended the clinic last year and as a family take part in a lot of outdoor activities. Learning to experience and enjoy nature is an imperative step for kids, she said.

'It's important for them to be active and experience all the natural wonders of the world and the wonders of Iowa,” she said.