Poles and fish galore

Annual free fishing day

Oldsters and youngsters all enjoyed a special time together doing what nature and volunteers provide at the annual free fishing event held last Saturday at Tugman State Park’s Eel Lake.

Over 200 youngsters between the ages of three and fourteen all caught fish.

Jerry Cox, President of the local STEP program, shared why the Tenmile STEP free fishing day is unique to all others. He told us they “guarantee you will catch fish.”

They acquire the fish from ODFW at the legal length of 8″, feed them for a month to 6 weeks in a floating pen. In that length of time they reach the approximate length of 12″.

The secret ingredient is that three days prior to ‘free fishing day’ they stop feeding the fish. Hence, the guarantee that a fish will be caught.

A special net area, stocked with fish, provided a quick catch experience for the young. Volunteers baited, encouraged and took the fish off the hooks.

Getting closer to the action

A huge crowd followed along through the stations manned by volunteers from STEP, Bass fishermen, Tenmile Watershed, ODFW, and volunteers from the Coast Guard Auxiliary. There were approximately 20 volunteers in all.

Coast Guard Auxiliary

You saw little fish, won a prize, took a lesson in casting your line, got the use of a Coast Guard life vest, and too top it off got to catch fish and have them cleaned.

The program came about due to the work of the  Salmon Trout Enhancement Program, (STEP) volunteers.

When the fishing was done, there was a free meal of hot dogs or hamburgers, chips, and a beverage.

Mike Mader, Tenmile Watershed Coordinator, and organizer of the event shared what one little boy of about three had to say to the question, “what had he learned?” His answer was “you have to be really patient to catch the big ones.”

“Out of the mouths of babes,” said Mader.