Young anglers learn lessons online

When it’s just too hot to take your kids fishing but they are begging to go, you now have an online option.

The International Game Fish Association just launched its new Junior Angler program with a website full of pro fishing tips and tricks, species identifications, biological information on marine and aquatic animals, games, contests, photo galleries and videos. The IGFA’s Junior Angler and Smallfry World Records will also be featured — but every child will have the opportunity to brag about their catches, record or otherwise. It’s free, digital and interactive.

Another winning point with parents is the Junior Angler website’s designation as a SafeSite, which means each child’s information and experience is completely protected while he or she is online.

New Junior Angler members also get free admission to the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach. Go to www.igfa. org and click on the “educate” tab.

Junior anglers at the International Game Fish Association. Young fishing enthusiasts can now record their catches and learn more about fishing at IGFA.org. IGFA / COURTESY PHOTO In other outdoors news:

.. Free Lee County options: Lee County-managed boat ramps, regional parks and swimming pools will have fees waived this weekend as the Board of County Commissioners recognizes National Parks & Recreation month on Saturday and Sunday July 24 and 25. For directions to the sites and more details, visit www.leeparks.org

Also this weekend, the Lee County Extension Services is bringing back its popular one-day program, Taste of Lee. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 24, you can pay a buck to get into the event at First Baptist Church of Fort Myers downtown and then have all kinds of free tastings of freshly caught seafood and locally grown fruits and vegetables. Meet farmers and fishers and everybody else. There’s free parking. Call 533-7514.

.. Mote Marine bonus: If you’re a service-industry employee, have you been working like a dog … fish? Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota has a summer discount program for you. Employees of Southwest Florida hotels, restaurants and bars get in for a special $5 rate now through Sept. 30 with proof of employment. The discount covers you and one guest.

Mote houses more than 100 species of sea life, from cool sea cucumbers to massive manatees. Learn more at www.mote. org/summer.

.. Get grassroots credit: Angels of the Seas has initiated a new conservation contest, enabling grassroots organizations and others to compete for honors for their conservation efforts.

Founder, Betty Bauman, whose name you may recognize from the popular Ladies Let’s Go Fishing seminars around Florida, has launched the campaign to increase the numbers of conservation projects. “Right now, especially with the Gulf Oil spill, the nation has become focused on the importance of marine conservation. It’s time for those who make a difference to be recognized with a Nobelstyle program,” she said in a press release announcing the Angels initiative.

Organizations can submit their conservation projects for awards at the 2011 Miami Boat Show. Web-based entries are in categories of new or existing ladies fishing clubs, other fishing clubs or tournaments, conservation organizations, individuals, corporations with eco-friendly marine products or services and more. Request an entry form by e-mailing angelsoftheseas@ gmail.com or call (954) 475-9068.

.. Florida is hot in more ways than one: Florida tops the new list of Top 10 boating states with annual boat sales of $1.2 billion in 2009. The Florida hot spot, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, is Treasure Island, near St. Petersburg. Following Florida are Texas (hot spot: Lake Austin), California (Big Bear Lake), North Carolina (Lake Norman), New York (Lake Champlain), Louisiana (Shreveport), Washington (San Juan Islands), Delaware (Rehoboth Beach), Michigan (Traverse City) and Minnesota (Detroit Lakes).

.. More on boating: Southwest Florida Yacht has added a Hunter Passage 42 sloop called Fortuitous to its fleet at Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda. Six people can sleep aboard the boat, which features interior headroom at 6-foot-5-inches and is finished in teak and holly. Amenities include a stereo with cockpit speakers, two televisions and a snazzy grill.

The only downside? The cost. Though the company is offering something new as part of its 25th anniversary celebration. Fortuitous typically charters for $2,359 for five days in the summer and $2,946 in the high season. Now charters of three days or more receive two extra chartering days free through Dec. 14. Check out www.swfyachts.com.

.. Do you love manatees? Sea turtles?: Decals now are available at the local tax collector’s office for you. Pay $5 and help support these imperiled species through a program by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. You make the donation when you register your boat or car. Each year, the decals look different. The funds raised support manatee and sea turtle rescue and recovery efforts, research and management needs and help produce educational materials. Get details at www.myfwc.com. 

— Betsy Clayton is a freelancer based on Pine Island and also is Lee County Parks & Recreation’s waterways coordinator. Contact her at boatingbybetsy@yahoo.com