The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC’s spring and summer programs are back. This year the Kootenay Trout Hatchery will be offering several programs including the Learn to Fish program, the Ladies on the Fly program, and the Youth on the Fly Day Camp.
Leanne Jones, Outreach Administrator for the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC says that the Kootenay Trout Hatchery has added three new dynamic staff members to their team to deliver the Learn to Fish programs throughout the Kootenays.
“Program delivery is engaging and educational,” explained Jones. “Young participants are having so much fun, they don’t even realize how much they have learned by the end of the program. Local schools are booked at the hatchery and/or Idlewild Park in Cranbrook every school day in May and June.”
She added that those interested should watch for programming in BC Parks and at the Hatchery throughout July and August.
“In addition, a couple of special events are coming up, starting with Family Fishing Weekend on June 16 and 17. The event includes fishing activities for the whole family, and kids can borrow a rod and cast for trout in the Hatchery’s pond,” Jones said.
The Firefighters Family Fishing event at Idlewild Park takes place on Sunday, June 17, followed by the Kick off the Summer Family Fun Day on Saturday, July 7, also at Idlewild Park. All events are free admission.
The Youth on the Fly Day Camp (ages 12 to 15) will run August 11 and 18 from 9a.m. to 7p.m. at the Kootenay Trout Hatchery, while the Women on the Fly events will take place on July 14, 28, and August 25.
The youth day camp is one action packed day where youth learn essential skills for fly fishing including etymology, fly tying, rod set up and casting. Participants spend most of the day at the fishing pond, with the opportunity to fish on the Bull River in the afternoon. Lunch and dinner is provided, along with fishing equipment (or use your own).
Jones says to register early as space is limited. The price for the day camp is $75 per person ($25 deposit).
The Women of the Fly events are just for women, where participants will join a female staff member for a fun day of river fishing. Registration is free, but required, and the events are open to all skill levels. Bring a lunch and your own fishing equipment (fly or spin casting reels welcome). Participants will meet in the Kootenay Trout Hatchery lobby, and fish from 10a.m. to 3p.m..
Jones reminds all anglers to carefully observe fishing regulations.
“Each lake has a stocking strategy created by ministry biologists specifically for that lake,” Jones explained. “The regulations support that strategy. Also, did you know that 100 per cent of fishing license revenue goes to the support of fisheries conservation and recreation?
“Purchasing your fishing license helps the fisheries resource. The Kootenay Trout Hatchery, one of six provincial hatcheries operated by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, stocks approximately 120 lakes annually with Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee and Brook Char in the east and west Kootenays to support recreational fishing. This hatchery also rears the endangered Columbia Sturgeon, for conservation purposes.”
For more information on all events and programs, check out the events calendar on gofishbc.com, or contact visit.kootenay@gofishbc.com, or call 250.429.3214.
