By Katherine Gittman
CP Reporter
Along the new pier located on the Rappahannock River in Port Royal, the Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends Group hosted the second annual kids fishing day. On Saturday, kids from all over the county were invited to come and participate in the event. After expecting 20 to 25 kids, 37 kids and their parents came and participated. The day consisted of learning the basics of fishing by first having small groups sessions. Among these small groups, the kids met with a fishing expert, safety officer and casting teachers to teach them different techniques of catching the fish.
After the town of Wilna hosted a fishing day for kids for the past 20 years, the town of Port Royal was inspired to host a similar event for the kids in the county and in the town of Port Royal. “The Friends of National Wildlife Refuge in Wilna have hosted a Kids Fishing Day for 20 years and our newly formed group in Port Royal was eager to welcome an event for kids on the Port Royal town pier,” says Elizabeth Heimbach, a spokesperson for the event.
The event started with a few games for those who arrived early and a welcome message by Bill Crouch who is the Deputy National Wildlife Manager. Throughout the morning, the kids were taught many different concepts when it comes to fishing through four activities. The activities included safety precautions taught by Bruce Callis and learning about different kinds of fish found throughout the Rappahannock River from Aaron Bunch, the Tidal Rivers Project Leader. Some of the other activities included practicing how to tie knots with Tim and Jenny Truitt and climbing into a police boat, which was brought by the senior river police officer, Isaac Boulanger.
After the activities were over, the kids got the chance to fish from the pier and there were prizes for those who caught the biggest fish and for those who caught the most fish. And following the time spent fishing, the kids and their parents ended the day by having lunch.
With an event like Kids Fishing Day, a lot of planning went in to make the event successful. Heimbach shared, “It takes a lot of friends! The Friends of the National Wildlife Refuge did a huge amount-shopping for the goodie bags and fishing rods and preparing the flyers and bringing the live bit and sharing their experience.” She also shared, “The Port Royal Ruritans helped enormously by signing up volunteers. Donnell Howard from Caroline Parks and Recreation encouraged the kids to get excited and sign up, and he brought them to Port Royal on the big day.
After being in its’ second year, the Kids Fishing Day event strives to serve as a fun and educational opportunity for kids to learn how to fish and also enjoy the outdoors. When asked about what she enjoyed the most from the event, Heimbach shares, “It was great to have so many kids enjoying the Rappahannock and catching their first fish. It was wonderful to have so many great volunteers and it was lovely to see so many kids having fun.”
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