Urban and Community Fisheries Programs: Development, Management, and Evaluation

Adult Aquatic/Angler Education Program Delivery in Alaska’s Second-Largest City

Shann Paul Jones

doi: https://doi.org/10.47886/9781934874042.ch27

Abstract.—I noticed vast variations in North American angler education curricula as I developed my own collegiate program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). Therefore I asked, “Am I teaching adults the angling topics they want or think they should learn in the postsecondary environment?” To help answer this question, I distributed a comprehensive questionnaire to the general public gauging their educational wants and requirements. By analyzing the surveys’ results, I created a science-based angler education workshop that included these components. Subsequent to the success of this class, I added more science into the classes I taught for the UAF-Tanana Valley Campus Academic Programs department. To gauge whether or not my course offerings met my students’ expectations, pre- and postcourse surveys were distributed, filled out by class participants, and analyzed from Fall 2005 through Summer 2007. Overall, nearly 93% of survey respondents indicated they would be interested in a fly-fishing class if offered within 30 mi of their home. After workshops, participants showed great improvements in their knowledge of Alaska’s fish species, aquatic insects, aquatic ecology, and fly-casting skills.