Each fishing clinics begins with a thirty-minute classroom style discussion of basic fishing techniques, tackle, and safety. Capt. Don covers the definition of the water column using charts and posters as examples and asks kids to give examples of fish that live in each water column so as to keep the clinics interactive. He then goes over how important it is to know where the fish you are targeting lives in the water column and what they are feeding on to choose the correct weights and baits. He demonstrates casting and fish fighting techniques with volunteers from the crowd. During which time fish mounts of various types of fish are used to show the difference between bottom feeders and those that chase bait in the top of the water column. A wide array of fish mounts at the Species Station are available for kids to have a hands-on experience and to see the different variations in top feeders, bottom feeders, pelagic, and freshwater species, etc.

Water conservation is discussed in the clinics as well. The importance of using circle hooks and dehookers as a successful technique to ensure a healthy release is conveyed to the kids and then are asked to give examples of other animals that they like to see while they are out on the water and explain to how fishing lines and other types of litter can cause problems for these animals.  The kids are shown how they can easily make a place on their boat to dispose of any discards fishing line and show the pictures of the containers they can find at local ramps and piers so that they will know where to place the discarded fishing line once they are back on land.

Also covered is the importance of safety on the water and how critical it is to always fish with a buddy because things happen quickly on the water, even when fishing in your backyard pond.