“This is an excellent way to encourage kids to spend time outdoors and fish in a stocked pond,” said Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director James Zehringer. “We hope many families take advantage of this opportunity to create fishing memories.”
The other designated youth-only fishing areas are at Delaware State Park, Maumee Bay State Park and the Wildlife District Three youth fishing ponds in Akron.
A special youth event will be held Aug. 25 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for anglers 15 and younger. Bait and assistance from volunteers will be provided at no charge.
Youth are encouraged to bring their fishing poles; however, poles will be available during these events. All young anglers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while at the youth events, but adults are not required to have a fishing license. Adults are not allowed to fish in the youth area but may assist their young anglers.
For more information, call (800) WILDLIFE.
Homer Circle dies
A legend has passed. To many outdoor writers and those who love to read news and stories from the great outdoors, we’ve always had a special feeling for the stories penned by “Uncle” Homer Circle.
For as long as we have been reading outdoors stories, we have been reading Uncle Homer. The era ended last week with his unexpected death at the age of 97.
Known nationally as longtime fishing editor for Sports Afield magazine, Mr. Circle was born in Springfield in 1914. He was once a sportswriter for the Springfield News-Sun. He moved to Ocala, Fla., in 1971.
He continued to write a weekly fishing column until his death.
11 boaters arrested
When Ohio Division of Watercraft officers participated in Operation Dry Water, a nationwide crackdown to remove impaired boaters from public waterways June 22-24, they contacted 3,097 recreational boaters and made 11 arrests for boating while intoxicated.
As with motor vehicle operators, boat operators in Ohio are considered legally intoxicated if their blood alcohol limit reaches 0.08 percent.
Watercraft officers additionally issued 85 citations and 826 written warnings for other alcohol and boating-related violations, including nine drug-related violations during Operation Dry Water.
In 2011, Division of Watercraft officers contacted 1,907 boaters and made eight arrests for boating while intoxicated. A total of 112 other alcohol and boating-related violations were issued in addition to 503 boating safety warnings.
Alcohol is involved in about one of every three boating-related accidents on Ohio waterways.
Outdoors columnist Jim Morris can be reached by email at sports@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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