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Matthew Youngblood - THE BATTALION
College Station resident Bonnie Wikse takes her three-year-old grandson Raj Ramachandran fishing at the Southwood Pool for the Pool Trout Fish Out event Sunday afternoon.

Children catch fishing fever

By: Candace Birkelbach

Posted: 2/12/07

Children of all ages were able to fish for trout in the Southwood Hallaran swimming pool on Rock Prairie Road, many of them catching a fish for the first time.

City of College Station Parks and Recreation Department and College Station Aquatics presented the 25th annual "Pool Trout Fish Out" last weekend.

The pool was stocked with 1,000 pounds of fish from a fish hatchery in San Marcos. Prizes included such things as tackle boxes and fishing poles that were given out for catching tagged fish. Patrons were allowed to bring their own tackle or rent from the city and were given a five-fish limit. The College Station Aquatics employees cleaned and gutted fish for patrons to take home.

The event was open to the general public, but special time slots were allotted for children under the age of 10.

Nearly 200 people showed up Saturday, but the busiest day for this event was Thursday, which was set aside for young children, said Amanda Poehl, head guard for College Station Aquatics and coordinator of the event.

"We had about 40 kids per hour from Head Start (3 and 4-year-olds) and other age groups from the College Station school district," Poehl said.

While the event was fun for the kids, seeing the fish gave them a lesson on nature.

"This is an excellent activity for children, because it gives them an opportunity to learn about fish, since their teachers give lessons on the fish life cycle after the event," said Vera Solis, supervisor for College Station Aquatics. "This was the first experience fishing for many of the kids that came out and it's a fun activity getting to see the fish swimming around in the pool, then getting to keep them and learn about them."

Poehl said Pool Trout Fish Out gives families a unique experience.

"(The fish out) brings parents and kids out for a unique experience that they wouldn't have otherwise had the chance to do." Poehl said. "It's fun for kids of all ages."

Lifeguards working this event commented on the community atmosphere of the Pool Trout Fish Out.

"This program allows residents of College Station and A&M students to have a fun recreational and enjoyable time," said freshman business major Jordan Nobel, a lifeguard at the fish out.

Senior management major Emily Rockett attended the event along with several friends on Saturday afternoon.

"We had a great time trying to fish and had a relaxing day," Rockett said. "It's a nice thing to go to if you want a break from studying and feel like doing something outdoors that you don't normally have the chance to do."

Coordinators of the fish out began preparation several months before the actual event.

"There was a lot to do in order to prepare for the weekend." Poehl said. "We ordered the fish, made fliers, sent press releases to elementary and high schools, bought the fishing supplies and promoted through radio and news stations."

The employees were pleased with the overall turnout for the "fish out" due to the cold weekend.

"A lot of children and parents came out for this event and for the A&M students that work here, it was a great experience to interact with the public in a way that normal lifeguarding shifts don't allow," Poehl said.