Girls get a kick out of fishing Photographer: Matthew Patterson, Date: 6/4/05, Location: White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery

Hatchery manager, Catherine Gatenby with her son Nash (age 4) and his big catch Photographer: Matthew Patterson, Date: 6/4/05, Location: White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery

In cooperation with the White Sulphur Springs Rotary Club, the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery hosted its annual fishing derby on June 4. It was a beautiful day in which approximately 150 local youth with their families came out to fish at the hatchery.  Young anglers, ranging in age from 2 to 15, caught fish from a hatchery pond stocked with 12” rainbow trout. 

Chefs, from the world renowned Greenbrier Resort, were on hand to demonstrate delectable recipes for preparing the rainbow trout that the anglers would be taking home.  In addition, youth and their families were given demonstrations in fly-fishing, and allowed to practice this new skill with local fly-fishing guides.  Rotarians enjoyed the beautiful day while serving hot dogs and drinks to the young fisher-folk and their families.  Following the fishing fun, participants were invited to visit environmental education booths set up on the hatchery grounds as part of an event called Discovering Our Environmental Surroundings, hosted by the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery in partnership with Girl Scouts of the Black Diamond Council .