Kids enjoy special day at Wizard Falls

A near perfect, sunny spring day greeted the nearly 450 people who visited Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery on Saturday, June 12, for National Kid's Fish day.

Every child got to fish and take home one catch from the hatchery. Younger children, under five years old, fished from the smaller tanks while older children fished "for the big ones" in the large holding pond.

The crowd also got to see some demonstrations of stream bed formation and erosion, fish posters, an insect collection and fish printing for the children. A fly fishing session was also available at the larger pond.

Marti Dale, a Camp Sherman resident, commented on "how well run and managed the event was."

Set in its beautiful 38-acre forest environment, Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery provides lovely scenery, tables and grassy areas for picnicking, nearby hiking trails and easy access to the Wild and Scenic Metolius River.

Upon arriving at Wizard Falls, the children signed in and then walked to the fishing area for their catch of the day. The longest fish caught was 28 inches and the heaviest was a little under eight pounds.

"I think every child caught a fish and went home happy," said Steve Hamberger, manager at Wizard Falls.

"It was a great day and success for all involved," said Roger White of the Camp Sherman Store. "My daughter, Kelsey, cleaned her fish three times before we took it home."

Wizard falls Fish Hatchery is open to the public all year round from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and may be reached by traveling west from Sisters on Highway 20 for 10 miles until reaching Highway 14 (Camp Sherman Road). Turn right on Highway 14 and travel 11 miles to the hatchery entrance. Early visitors may get a chance to see the nesting bald eagles feeding at the north end of the large pond.