The pond in Vernon’s Polson Park was loaded with 1,000 rainbow trout Wednesday in preparation for the Kalamalka Fly Fishing Society’s annual kids’ fish-out event, taking place this weekend.
The fish, all about a foot long, were trucked to the pond from the Summerland Trout Hatchery. The Fly Fishing Society has put nets in the Polson pond, dividing the pond into different sections to ensure that fish can be caught anywhere along the pond’s edge.
It’s the society’s biggest event of the year, and they expect between 1,500 and 2,000 people to come out and fish this weekend.
“When you see the kids, their eyes light up when they catch a fish,” said Mike Leach, society president. “They are just so happy, and it introduces them to fishing and that’s what it’s all about.”
The Fly Fishing Society has about 70 members, and about 60 of them will volunteer their time for the kids’ fish-out.
Volunteers drained and cleaned the pond last weekend in preparation for the event.
The event has been run for many years, but this year will be the last time it’s held in Polson Park, and the society is currently looking at other locations that could be used in future years.
Kids are allowed to catch two fish each, get their picture taken with their fish, have the fish cleaned at a dedicated cleaning station, and then they can take the fish home and cook them.
The kids’ fish-out event takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 5.
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