In 2019, the PA Grand Canyon Snowmobile Club went around to some of the local sporting goods stores and asked for rod & reel combo donations so that, as part of the Upper Pine Creek Trout Tournament, we could host a giveaway program called “Start a Kid Fishing.”

And, boy, did those stores respond, as did our board members, each year since donating as much as they can, so that we can give these rods & reels away to kids who want to learn to fish. For many of the lucky recipients, it’s their very first rod & reel ever or it’s the first one that’s all their own!

Well, trout tournament anglers, our “Start a Kid Fishing” program is set again for this year, 2024, and will begin on the tournament’s pre-registration day, May 17th. If you have kids 12 years of age and under, bring them with you when you register/pick up your badge and we’ll give them a FREE rod & reel combo.

Exciting Announcement for 2024: In addition to the scholarships we award, Seneca Resources has partnered with us on this program this year by providing FREE starter tackle boxes. This means that each eligible child will have their choice of a rod/reel combo AND a starter tackle box, courtesy of PAGCSC and Seneca!

Our hearty thanks go out to Seneca, Smitty’s Sports in Gaines, and The Tackle Shack in Wellsboro for partnering with us in this wonderful program!

One rod & reel combo per child and each child must be present to pick the rod & reel combo of their choice. Get ’em while supplies last!