Trout Unlimited hosts Kids' Fishing Day
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EVANSTON — Although the annual Kids’ Fishing Day was smaller this year than it has been in the past, those who attended had great fun catching fish to take home.
On Saturday, June 10, the enterprising fishers spread out all over the Bear River ice pond edges, from the pier to the little peninsulas accessible via winding dirt paths. Over near the back of the pond, people carried their fishing gear and fish over the little paths, making their way through the little blue blurs of dragonflies and the greenery of the idyllic June day.
Some of the toddlers and little ones had a great time with water toys, far from the danger of the strings and hooks of fishing tackle.
“It was a great event — great day to be a kid, not a great day to be a fish,” said Uinta Bear River Trout Unlimited past president Rick Slagowski.
He said that about 145 youth signed up for the event, which is down from the normal 250-300, but there were several events in Evanston that weekend. Some of the little kids who came to fish were wearing soccer uniforms for their games that morning or later in the afternoon, and there were also tournaments, baseball games and more that weekend. Even so, kids and families could be seen toting baskets of bounty away as the morning went on.
Those who attended also got a free meal courtesy of Benedict’s Market and Western Wyoming Beverages, complete with hot dogs, chips and a drink. Youth who caught fish and brought them over to be weighed and cleaned also got prizes from Cowboy Bass.
Slagowski said the event is put on in partnership with several organizations, including the City of Evanston, Wyoming Game and Fish, the Evanston Parks and Recreation Department, Search and Rescue, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife and Upper Bear River Trout Unlimited.
He especially noted that the watchfulness of Search and Rescue made for a safer event, since the river is running so high and fast. The Search and Rescue team kept an eye on kids to make sure they didn’t get too close to the river.
“It made us all feel better with them there,” Slagowski said.
He added that the fish count was pretty high, too; even early in the day, the organizers saw 75 fish caught, and there were more throughout the day.
“Everything went great,” Slagowski said. “The weather was fantastic, and thank goodness the wind was good to us and didn’t blow us all away. But the kids that were there, they had a great time.”
