height="82" border="0" alt="Link to Northeast Region, USFWS; map of region">June 5 marked the

Rappahannock River Valley (Va.) National Wildlife Refuge's third annual Kid's Fishing

Day. In celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week, the refuge invited youngsters and their parents to join in for a day of fishing fun at Wilna

Pond.

After a welcome by refuge manager Joe McCauley, the event began with a fishing clinic. Virginia

Department of Game and Inland Fisheries game wardens taught safety, laws, and ethics of fishing. Gloucester Office of Fisheries Assistance Project

Leader Lisa Moss led a session on fish habitat and identification. Refuge staffer Rebekah Packett taught participants how to tie knots, and refuge

staff gave casting lessons. Once everyone learned all the how-to's of fishing, they headed straight to the 35-acre freshwater pond to put their

newfound skills to the test.

While plenty of fish were caught, many more smiles were caught on film. The highlight of the day

was when young Maxwell Davies caught the largest fish of the event — a five-pound bass! That would have made it special enough, but to

top it off, this was his first attempt at fishing!

Thanks to Wal-Mart, which coordinated sponsors on a national level, we were able to provide

lunch, lots of great prizes and bountiful goody bags. A total of 60 visitors attended the event, 27 kids and 33 adults. Special thanks to the six

volunteers who donated 36 hours of their time for this event.

NORTHEAST REGION, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE -- Conserving the Nature of the Northeast