On the morning of June 19, the smiles on the children’s faces as they reel in their catch is all the reward that the members of Trout Unlimited need when all is done at the fishing day. Our TU member’s greatest desire is for each and every kid to go home happy with a fish in the cooler.

The Coosa Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited has hosted Kids Fishing Day for over 21 years. Although the number of children fishing the event has averaged about 450 each year it would be nearly impossible to determine the total number of participants total that fished at kids fishing day because many of the older kids have been fishing each year from the age of 3.

The Wildlife Resources Division of the DNR will be stock both the pond and Little Cedar Creek at the park heavily for the Kids Fishing Day. They usually put around a thousand for the kids to catch. The pond at Cave Spring still has a good number of trout still swimming and growing. Many of these fish are two pounds and larger and will give the kid’s tackle a real workout. Parents, make sure that the rod your child will use is in good shape with fresh, strong line. Also bring extra hooks and bait. There will be SOME bait supplied for our young anglers but we have been known to run short from time to time.

As usual, there will be hot dogs, hamburgers and other snacks along with drinks for sale. Coffee will be available for the early arrivers.

Eagle sports will have T-shirts for sale and this years design by Chris Hodge is a real eye catcher.

Trout Unlimited has, throughout the years, put this event on for the purpose of “hooking the kids on fishing”. Fishing is a pleasant past time that generally requires minimal equipment, effort or money and the rewards of direct contacts with nature are immeasurable. The hands on experience of casting the bait or lure, enticing the fish to take the bait and the catching a fish can take a child’s mind away from his troubles.

TU hopes that the children grow to love fishing and develop an understanding of how the overall health of our environment is directly related to the ability of a fish to survive. Trout are much like the canary in the coal mine. Trout, more so than most fish, require clean, clear, highly oxygenated cold water to survive.

The Coosa Valley Chapter is extremely grateful that Cave Spring has allowed us to use Rolator Park as the location. There are few locations in the area that have the cold water and the facilities needed to handle the crowds we bring in.

Age groups and fishing times

Ages 3-4: 9-9:45 a.m. Ages 5-6: 10-10:45 a.m.

Ages 7-9: 11-11:45 a.m. Ages 10-12: noon-12:45 p.m.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. The kids must register to win a prize 

Trout Unlimited River Cleanup Day

Saturday, June 26 is the Trout Unlimited River Cleanup Day. Chapters all across the nation have chosen a stream or river to focus on that day. Members of the Coosa Valley Chapter are returning to their favorite Floyd County stream, Johns Creek. Details will be worked out and I will update in the next article. Final decisions will be made at this months meeting. 

TU meeting

The next meeting of the Coosa Valley Chapter will be Thursday, June 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the meeting room at Scott Logistics. The focus of the meeting will be preparations for Kids Fishing Day and the stream cleanup at Johns Creek. Food will be served at a minimal cost. The public is invited and members are urged to attend.