One day you are scraping frost off your windshield, the next you are sweating under the hot sun. One day you catch your first fish, the next you are helping a youngster bait her or his hook.

So it goes in the world of fishing. Time flies. The spring-to-autumn seasons roll faster and faster as the years pile up.

Today seems like a long time since the last of the winter ice melted. But it’s June 1 already and 80 degrees is today’s forecast. Things are warming up on our lakes, so what better time than now to preserve the legacy of fishing by helping others enjoy the benefits associated with getting out on the water?

A number of clinics and opportunities are available for people who wish to break into the sport, particularly youngsters. Two of them are this weekend and another is just three weeks out.

Today at Lake Milton, the Cleveland Chapter of Muskies Inc. is holding its annual Cindy Dean Memorial Kids Fishing Derby at Lake Milton State Park’s Harry Meshel Picnic Area. Fishing begins at 10 a.m. and concludes around 2 this afternoon.

Muskies Inc. member Chris DePaola of Austintown said the kids derby is in its 23rd year. Volunteers help children with the ins and outs of fishing, providing some helpful coaching and encouragement.

Also today, youths associated with the programming of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley are fishing on the shore at Aqua Ohio’s Evans Lake while the pro-am teams are competing on boats in the Muransky Companies Bass Classic.

Assisting the children are members of the United Way’s AFL-CIO Union Counselors group. Fin Feather Fur Outfitters’ store in Boardman is providing new rods and reels for the young anglers.

Teens also are involved in the pro-am Bass Classic. Sixteen members of the Student Fishing League, under the tutelage of Harry Emmerling of East Liverpool, are serving as onboard scorekeepers operating the Fin Feather Fur ActionTally online scoreboard.

The Beaver Township Parks Department, meanwhile, is getting ready to hold its first fishing clinic for children on June 22 at the Memorial Park pond in North Lima. Park Administrator Scott Conway got the idea for the clinic after observing youngsters heading to the water.

“I saw three young boys riding their bikes toward the pond with their fishing rods across their handle bars,” Conway said. “I thought that was great — the kids getting out to fish instead of playing indoors — and that we could use our pond to get more kids interested.”

Conway said the June 22 event is full, but he plans to hold more clinics in the future. The clinic is funded by a grant from Ohio Department of Natural Resources. A certified fishing instructor and volunteers will cover everything from tying knots to casting.

Conway speaks for many when he says it’s good to get children interested in fishing.

“We think our event will help more young people understand the fun of getting outdoors to do a little fishing and get away from the computer and the Xbox,” he said.

It has been many years since my first fishing trip, so many that I cannot recall even whether I caught a fish. But I do know that particular day was very important in my life.

Thanks to those who today help carry on the tradition of sharing their time and tips about getting started in one of life’s great experiences.

Jack Wollitz enjoys writing about the things he’s learned while fishing so that others may discover the fun. He would be delighted to report what you’ve learned, too. Email him at jackbbaass@gmail.com.