We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Prior to casting their line into the water, the fourth graders were given a fishing lesson from members of the Rod and Gun Club as well as representatives from the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks.
The Chinook Rod and Gun Club has been very active in getting as many local kids outdoor as they can reach. They have reached out to the local elementary schools in recent years and have partnered with them to provide a safe educational day of fishing.
In the beginning the Club sponsored a Fishing Day the first Saturday in June but after a couple of years numbers started to diminish, due in large part of so many things going on around the county as the summer season begins.
The Club then began taking fourth graders from the Meadowlark Elementary in Chinook and Harlem Elementary out to Dry Fork Reservoir the first week of May.
The result was very positive with numbers being able to be counted on and a firm schedule to be able to follow. The one drawback last year was the lack of fish being caught.
When the club began organizing this years event they decided to expand and offered the opportunity for Country Schools to take part and students from Zurich and Cleveland joined in the fun.
They also moved the location to South Faber in hopes of increasing the number of fish caught.
The Club provides a great experience for the kids and staggers the arrival of the schools perfectly to allow for all to eat lunch, catch some fish, get some instruction and be back on the bus by the end of school.
Each fourth grader received a Rod and Gun Club tee-shirt, lunch and a goodie bag with some tackle and other fun things to take home.
The Club also donated two brand new, ready to use fishing poles and Jerry Black also donated one after learning of the event while cooking at the Clubs Meet and Greet in March.
The three poles were given to the student who caught the largest fish from Harlem Elementary, Meadowlark Elementary and the Country Schools. Winners were: Weston Snell, Harlem (21.5"); Fletcher Anderson, Chinook (18.5"); JJ Jendro, Zurich (18").
Several members of the Club volunteered their time to help make the day as best it could for the kids and they were: Keith Hanson, Darin and Elaine Hamilton, Tracie McCracken, Kasie McIntosh, Ralph Cross, Chad Jones, Katie Jacobs, Elmer and Karla Zarn.
In addition Mark Kloker and Dirk Paulson of the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks were on hand to help with instruction and help ensuring the kids were getting the most out of the experience.
"It was a great day, it was warm, the kids caught lots of fish and everyone had a really good time," said club representative and organizer Elmer Zarn. "The Harlem kids showed up first, around 10:30 a.m., then the Country kids arrived around 11:15 and Chinook showed up at 11:30. We fed the Harlem then the Country schools and then Chinook."
"We provided the kids with a lunch, burger, chips and soda. We also had bottled water for them throughout the day," added Zarn. "It was nice to see them catching fish and having a good time."
The Club now will get started planning on next years Fishing Day. However the event changes, one thing is certain, the Elementary students of Blaine County will benefit.
