Brainerd Lakes Chapter Let’s Go Fishing

1. Brainerd Lakes ChapterLet’s Go Fishing

2. Let’s Go Fishing with Seniors Let's Go Fishing was created to enrich the lives of people age 55 and older through free fishing and boating excursions that strengthen communities, build relationships and create memories.

3. Mission We are dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals 55 and older through free fishing and boating activities that build relationships, strengthen communities and create memories.

4. Vision To develop a network of chapters and volunteers working together to serve senior citizens throughout Minnesota, the region and ultimately the entire country.

5. Philosophy  "Giving back to those that have given so much.”

6. Goals of the training • To insure the safety and enjoyment of all guests and LGF volunteers. • To prevent personal injury and property damage. • To insure consistent and safe operation of all LGF watercraft. • Help maintain lower program insurance costs.

7. Contacts • Trip Scheduling Coordinator , John Carroll for client’s contact: scheduling trips, trip arrangements, etc.: 218-454-FISH (3474), press #2 email: schedule@lgfwsbrainerdarea.com • Volunteer Scheduling Coordinator, Steve Esser for Captains and Co-captains: 218-454-FISH (3474), press #3 email: volunteer@lgfwsbrainerdarea.com

8. Let’s Go Fishing • ALL riders must wear a PDF. • Absolutely NO alcohol, smoking or illegal drugs on the boat. • NO alcohol for the captain or first mate 10 hours before the trip. • Guest must remain seated while underway. • Operators must have a valid drivers license. • Operators must be a minimum of 18 years old.

9. General Guidelines • Operate Mon – Fri • Morning and afternoon trips • Tuesday evening trips • Excursions (boating only) will be scheduled afternoons with shorter duration. • Fishing and cruising lakes will be Gull, Bay and Rice lakes with pontoon docked at specific sites for extended periods. • LGF Chapter Board members will move boat between lakes.

10. 2011 Schedule • Gull Lake • May 23-July 15 Gull Lake Marina/Cragun’s • Bay Lake • July 19-Aug 4 Bay Lake Marina/Public Access • Rice Lake • Aug 8-Sept 1 Avelsgaard’s Dock/Lum Park Fishing Pier • Gull Lake • Sept 7-23 Cragun’s

11. Times • Monday – Thursday • 9:30-12:00 • 1:00-3:30 • Friday Morning • 9:30-12:00 • Tuesday Evenings June 7-Aug-23 • “Senior Sport Fishing” • 5:30-8:00

12. Booking Process • Attend LGF Senior Provider training – April – book dates at the training, or • Attend LGF Day – April – book trips, or • Contact, Trip Scheduling Coordinator for client’s: scheduling trips, trip arrangements, etc.: 218-454-FISH (3474), press #2 email: schedule@lgfwsbrainerdarea.com

13. Booking Process • Trips will be scheduled during our normal business hours, • Monday - Friday from 9:00  - 5:00.

14. General Guideline • Trips are for groups or individuals 55+ and/or veterans. • Intergenerational program with children may be scheduled later in season or 2011. • Maximum 10 guests plus Captain and First Mate and 2 staff from care centers (if applicable ). A maximum of 14.

15. General Guidelines • Generally 6 guests minimum to schedule trip. • Up to 3 wheelchairs on board, none motorized. • All trips will be “pre-scheduled” to comply with insurance regulations. Impromptu trips not allowed. • Donations always welcome.

16. Duties of CAPTAIN & FIRST MATE

17. First Priority: Safety and comfort of our guests'.

18. Before the trip: • 2-3 days before the trip the captain contacts guests to confirm: • date, • place and time and if there will be any wheelchairs • explain the cancelation procedures • exchange cell phone numbers – provided by Volunteer Scheduling Coordinator

19. Before the trip: • 1-2 days before the trip the Captain and first mate check in with each other to determine who will: • pick up ice, • pick up bait, if needed , • confirm outing location, time, and where pontoon is located, and • bring the camera.

20. Weather • Safety and comfort come first • Check the forecast: • http://www.weather.gov/ • Sheriff’s Office 218-829-4749 • Contact your clients to discuss if cancellation and rescheduling will be needed. • The Captain has the final word

21. For the comfort of the guests: • Dress appropriately for conditions • Apply sunscreen in advance of trip • There is a first aid kit on the pontoon • Use restroom before trip • LGF supplies water

22. Finding the fish • Check with immediate past captain to see where they caught fish. • Check marked locations on the GPS. • Use marks on the maps. • Pray. • Hire a guide.

23. Before the guests arrive. • Arrive at designated lake 45-60 minutes before guests. Guests often arrive early. • Most often the canopy is up. If it is not - it takes at least 2 people to put up the canopy. • Raising the canopy can take 20 minutes or more.

24. Before the guests arrive • Pick up bait and ice (if needed). • Check the gas gauge, should be over ½. • Arrange pontoon on dock for boarding. • Start motor to make sure it runs properly. • Take out seats for wheelchairs if needed. 3 wheelchairs max. No motorized wheelchairs on pontoon.

25. Before the guests arrive • Check the White/Day box • Duties of Captain list • Instruction and report forms • Comment envelopes • First aid kit – if you use any items contact the Volunteer coordinator 218.222.2222 • Check supplies – water, first aid kit, zip lock bags, sun screen, landing net, etc. • Set out life jackets on shore. • Check and organize rods, reels, bait, etc.

26. As guests arrive • Greet guests (make them feel welcome) and help put on Life Vests BEFORE ANYONE STEPS ON THE DOCK!!! • EVERYONE, including Volunteers and Staff, MUST WEAR A LIFE VEST! • Vests are color coded for size • Yellow • Blue • Green • Red

27. As guests arrive • Escort and assist guests to pontoon. • Suggest that guests use the restroom before boarding. • Board wheel chairs last. • Place in middle 1/3 of pontoon • Back wheelchairs onto pontoon • Secure wheelchairs.

28. As guests arrive • “Guest Boarding Pass - Release of Liability and Photo Approval” (BLA02) • Groups should have form filled out by health center representative prior to arrival. If not, it needs to be completed on board. Trips with individuals scheduled will have to fill out on boat. Extra copies are available in white box.

29. As guests arrive • “Authorization for Residents of State Institutions to Fish in Minnesota” (BLA03-also called License Waiver Form) • Fishing licenses are required for those under 90 unless they are full time residents of a health facility (or other exceptions) with waiver forms completed. Groups should have this form filled out by health center representative prior to arrival .

30. As the trip begins • Welcome guests to their Let’s Go Fishing Trip. • Introduce crew and explain the schedule. • Have clients fill out name tags, if desired

31. The trip begins • Be sure everyone is seated with life jackets on. • Untie mooring lines, and • Enjoy the trip.

32. During the trip • In case of injury • Call 911 if injury is serious • Use first aid kit – let Equipment Coordinator now if your used supplies

33. During the trip – Injury Report • Date and time of incident. • Name and telephone of injured person. • Detailed description of accident/injury - photograph. • Name and address where person was treated. • Any watercraft accident involving either person or property damage over $2,000 must be reported to the sheriff.

34. Fishing • LGF provides all rods, reels, lures and bait for the trip. • Captain and first mate assist guests with fishing. • Care center staffs primary responsibility is the residents’ safety and comfort. If possible, assist crew with fishing.

35. Fishing • Determine where you are going to fish. • The pontoon is a big boat – that catches the wind. • Face the bow into the wind • Drop anchors. • Prep rods for each guest. • Take lots of pictures.

36. Fishing • We prefer practicing Catch and Release, but also know the guests’ catches can be very special. • If guest wants to keep fish, they must provide cooler or container. However, we have extra bags in Captains chair. We do not clean fish.

37. Fishing • Serve water during the outing as needed, but best served last hour. • Have fun. • When done fishing put rods carefully back in rack or in safe place.

38. After the trip • Position pontoon for de-boarding. • Secure pontoon to dock. • Crew hands out “Thank You “ envelope as guests are leaving

39. After the Trip • Escort and assist guests from the pontoon to shore with life vest on. • Wheels chairs debark first. • Take off life vests once on shore. • Store in proper places. If wet, secure on backs of seats.

40. After the trip • Make sure the red power switch is turned off. • Gather trash, wipe up spills, check and wipe off fishing equipment and return to rack. Make sure that the equipment is ready to go for the next crew. • Check supplies and let the next Captain scheduled know if anything needed. Names will be provided prior to trip from Steve Esser 820-7514.

41. After the trip • Check over boat using common sense to see if secure, bumpers properly attached to protect, everything in place left as good as or better than when you arrived. • Treat as if your own valuable boat.

42. After the trip • Generally leave canopies up if boat remains harbored. Exception would be forecast of bad weather. • Submit photos (email if possible), to webmaster@lgfwsbrainerdarea.com Specify name of group, date, and time of trip.

43. After the Trip • Fill out and return to White Box - Accurate reporting is important to the Chapter: • Release of Liability and Approval form, • Guest Boarding Pass (waiver form) if Care Center, • Trip Report, and • any donations received • Submit all reasonable expenses in timely fashion along with reports. Any expense over $25 (other than gas) needs to be pre-approved.