In preparation for the Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery's seventh annual ?Kids" Fishing Rodeo, a total of 2,000 9-inch rainbow trout and 4 large display fish were released Saturday, June 12, 2004, in the creek below the hatchery. More Rainbow trout were also stocked into the adjacent Obey River, giving Tennesseeans, not taking part in the fishing rodeo the opportunity to share this important resource on Tennessee's ?Free Fishing Day.? Both events were in celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week. The rodeo which was open to kids aged 15, and under, presented an opportunity to introduce kids to the sport of fishing and allowed families to spend quality time together. It was cosponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the citizens of Clay County, Tennessee. This year's event drew a large crowd and was filmed by Odell Braswell, host of the popular, local television show ?Tennessee Sportsman.? The show was aired following the event and will be aired again prior to next year's event. Local businesses and individuals donated prizes, tackle, bait, drinks, advertising, and personal time and labor make this year's event the tremendous success that it turned out to be. Overall, attendance was up 10 percent from last year's event, with 275 kids accompanied by an equal number of adults. People came from as far away as Florida and Arizona to get a chance to catch a rainbow trout.

Contributed by: Andrew Currie, Hatchery Manager, Dale Hollow NFH, Celine, TN