Syracuse.com - Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery reels in a nice crowd at public fishing event

[HuntingNY-News]

The program, which continues each Saturday until the end of May, offers youngsters and adults alike an opportunity to fish for the fun of it. Everything caught gets released.

Owen Lynch, 3, of North Syracuse, reels in a nice trout he caught this morning in the fishing pond at Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery in Elbridge. Sarah Taddeo I [email protected]  

Syracuse—"I got one!" screamed Owen Lynch, 3, of North Syracuse, as his dad helped him reel in a large rainbow trout from the fishing pond at Carpenter's Brook Fish Hatchery this morning.

The county-run hatchery in Elbridge was hosting the first in a series of public fishing Saturdays for this spring. The program, which continues each Saturday until the end of May, offers youngsters and adults alike an opportunity to fish for the fun of it. Everything caught gets released.

About 25 people showed up for the first hour of the program. Most children came with dads or grandfathers who taught them the ropes of reeling, casting and baiting a hook.

John Hluchyj, president of Friends of Carpenter's Brook, said these are the kind of events he really enjoys. The Friends group assists in funding and coordinating events for the hatchery.

"We support the hatchery in a number of different ways," Hluchyj said. "Holding these events helps kids have an easy connection with nature. It's very rewarding."

Fishing at the hatchery was the first freshwater fishing experience for Faith Weaver, 10, of Clay. "I go to the Jersey shore a lot and fish in the saltwater," she said. "It's cool to see all the different kinds of fish there are around."

Weaver caught several fish, but didn't want to take any off the barbless hooks—"I let my dad do that part," she said.

It was also Justin Pier's first time out at the hatchery's fishing pond. Pier, 10, of Elbridge, said his favorite part about fishing is "catching the big ones." What's his secret technique? "Waiting," he said.

But he didn't have to wait for long.The pond was so well-stocked with rainbow trout that kids were catching fish every couple of minutes.

Carpenter's Brook Superintendent Eric Stanczyk said he hopes these fishing days will instill a lifelong love for fishing in the youngsters.

"It doesn't matter how old you are, you can always fish," Stanczyk said. "Once they get involved now, they're going be involved in it for the rest of their lives. We've got this space and these ponds, might as well do something with them that will help these kids learn a new sport."

Fishing sessions will be held from 9:30-11:30 a.m each Saturday. Cost is $5 per person with bait, rods and reels provided. Reservations are required. Call 689-9367.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog