GREENE – No beautiful weekend should be taken for granted in Upstate New York, especially when a day of outdoors education and fishing are on the line.

Last weekend at Cook Park, located in the Town of Greene, more than 30 families ventured out to participate in the 2nd Reel Weather Youth Fishing Clinic.

Jim Root, a contributor to Weather Underground, lives for bringing the science of weather to the sport of fishing. In his hands-on clinics, Root discusses and explains to children and parents alike how weather conditions such as barometric pressure, wind and sun affect what the fish are doing below the water’s surface and how to catch them.

Being a weather junkie, Root travels with a personal weather station that he utilizes on site to monitor conditions and explain how the environment influences fish behavior, but first he began by stressing the importance of keeping parks and waters clean to the group.

“I wanted everyone to understand how vital it is that we protect our environment so that we can continue to enjoy this great sport for many years,” Root said.

While some anglers were more experienced than others, none of them lacked any enthusiasm.

“Once children understand that the lakes and rivers and streams are bedrooms and homes to aquatic wildlife, it is easier to establish motivation to keep those areas clean and free of pollution,” Root said.

After that, Root got right into fish behavior and weather conditions.