Reeling in joy: Oklahoma School for the Blind students learn to fish

Students from the Oklahoma School for the Blind stepped away from their usual classrooms for the opportunity to learn to fish at Muskogee’s Honor Heights Park.

Casting Lines, Catching Smiles

With fishing poles in hand and bait on the hooks, students like sophomore Stephanie Glynn weren’t afraid to cast a line.

Glynn believes what makes her school unique is the motto that there is always a way to make things work, whether in the classroom or near the water.

"It's never, 'I can't do something,'" Glynn said. "It's always, 'Let's find a way to do something.' The school is special and it's different. I love school."

Learning the Ropes

For students who had never held a fishing rod before, help was close by. Volunteers from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation provided one-on-one guidance, teaching everything from casting techniques to baiting hooks.

Jacob Tison, the R3 Fishing Coordinator, coordinated the event and believes that fishing is something everyone should experience.

"It definitely brings me joy, and I love sharing it with others to show them it can bring them joy as well," Tison said.

Fishing for Everyone

The event is part of a broader statewide initiative to make outdoor activities like fishing more inclusive. Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell, an avid angler himself, helped bring the effort to life through programs like the Oklahoma Fishing Trail.

"It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, fishing is for everybody," Pinnell said. "We are going to demonstrate that today, I think it is a good activity, and certainly the teachers from the School of the Blind have reinforced that this is a great activity for them. Hopefully, today we are going to spark a lifelong interest in fishing, and we can take these kids around the state."

Looking Ahead

Organizers hope to make this fishing clinic an annual tradition, ensuring that every student, regardless of ability, has a chance to explore the outdoors and maybe even hook a lifelong passion.

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