Turns out children on South Whidbey can be persuaded to abandon screens for the great outdoors given the 59 children who took part in free fishing lessons and gear this past weekend.

Put on by The HUB, an after-school hangout program for students in Langley, on Saturday and Sunday, everything went well except for the actual catching of fish. HUB Executive Director Hank Hall wrote in an email that, “everyone had a chance to catch seaweed, boards, rocks and crab (with a Buzz Bomb) … and were excited about all the catches.”

Part of the lessons included a drive by The HUB and The Fishin’ Club to get rods, reels and lures to offer for some of the children. In all, 15 poles were given away to children with a new hobby: fishing.

The HUB offers a place for students, particularly in middle school and high school, to unwind and get a hot meal after school. But the program’s leaders also have plans to lead informative lessons and mentoring, with the fishing classes just the most recent activity.

“Many of the parents who registered told me their child had been after them for a while to go fishing but that they didn’t know how to fish, or didn’t have any gear,” Hall wrote.

Several donors helped put on the event with contributions of gear, money and time. Thanks to Cabela’s, 20 fishing poles and tackle were provided for children without gear. Mike Mayes of Fishing Access Network and the angling expert at Freeland Ace Hardware spooled line on reels. Online registration and promotion came from the South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District. Local supporters and Kevin Lungren with The Fishin’ Club of Whidbey Island chipped in gear and five mentors each day. Both Freeland Ace Hardware and Sebo’s Do-it Center accepted gear donations.

Hall said The HUB has plans to turn the fishing lessons into an annual event.

Anyone who would like to support The HUB or designate a donation for the next Fishin’ Whidbey event may do so at www.TheHUBAfterSchool.org or by mail at The HUB, P.O. Box 1324, Langley, WA 97260.