Kids' Day at Wizard Falls

Tanner Nielsen and his dad Paul admire a 30-inch, 12.5 pound lunker believed to be the biggest catch of the day. Photo provided

Over 600 people enjoyed the sparkling "Kids' Day" weather at Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery last Saturday, June 7. Parents, grandparents, friends, volunteers and the hatchery staff all turned out for the annual event.

Kids, age 10 and under, may catch one hatchery fish as their "catch-of-the-day" at this event. Many brought their own fishing poles, power bait, lures and boxes of equipment.

The hatchery is located five miles north of downtown Camp Sherman on Road 14. The long lines of parked cars attested to the popularity of this yearly outing.

Besides fishing the big pond at the hatchery, kids could also act out the life of a fish at the "Chutes and Ladders" activity set up by Boy Scout Troup 188 of Sisters. Here, children had to avoid predators, crosswaterfalls and otherwise survive as "fish."

Children were awarded prizes at the "spin-casting tryouts" set up on the grassy lawn surface by the Santiam Flycasters from Salem.

Scott Cotter, Forest Service fisheries biologist, kept busy making sure that everybody was having a good time, that the Forest Service demonstrations were operating and that flights of children were getting to fish.

Phil Hager's energetic and close-up demonstrations of aquatic insects delighted and fascinated many children during the day's activities. So did the wonderful "Aquatic Zoo" demonstrations set up by Mike Riehle, fisheries biologist with the Forest Service.

Another highlight was the Gyotaku art drawings of fish that kids made and took home with them. Set up by Deb Riehle, these colorful treasures were a hit with the younger set.

Other kids were fascinated by Bill Lundy's "Fish Puzzles." These creative "puzzle" fish could be separated and external and internal parts seen and identified by children.

After catching their "big-one," kids got to have them weighed by Mike Sims, Wizard Falls fish specialist, and put into an iced clear plastic bag for the trip home or campsite for dinner preparation. The proud smiles on kids' faces were something to be remembered whether their fish weighed ounces or pounds.

The mellow crowd also enjoyed a picnic lunch on the grassy grounds and a stroll down to the edge of the nearby Metolius River.

Steve Hamberger, Wizard Falls manager, and his staff worked hard to stage an excellent event for the kids.

His wife Teresa helped with registrations and Doug Curtis, Wizard Falls fisheries specialist, was helpful setting up bait and tackle for the young fishing enthusiasts.