This Saturday we participated in the annual Fishing Kids event at Gene Coulon Park. I had never even heard of this event until I read about it in a flyer at the Renton Community Center. For $10, kids ages 5-14 get the chance to learn how to fish, plus receive a free t-shirt and fishing pole. I couldn't pass it up.
The event was made possible thanks to the sponsorship of several local companies and clubs - C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation, Renton Kiwanis Club, Red Robin, Steelmetal Workers Local 66, Boeing Employees Rod & Reel Club, Eastside Steelheaders, Western Bass Club, Zebco, Puget Sound Anglers, and Eagle Claw. Each registered kid received a backpack from Dick's sporting goods, a Fishing Kids t-shirt, and a Zebco Rod and reel. Volunteers were on hand to attach bait (something I'm too squeamish to do) and show kids how to cast a line and reel it in. The area around the dock was stocked with trout contained in pens so kids were guaranteed to catch a fish.
We didn't have much luck at the first spot we tried. The kids watched intently as the fish nibbled at their bait and got away. A woman pointed out a better spot across the dock and we moved there. Within minutes, with the help of an expert volunteer from Western Bass Club, Sage caught his first fish. His first fish ever! And then he caught a second one and McKenna caught two as well. It was exciting and gross and a wee bit sad but fun too - all rolled into one.
Next we took our floppy bag to the cleaning station where some brave volunteers chopped of the fish heads and quickly removed their bones and guts and gave them back to us to take home for dinner. Yes, it was a gross as it sounds but it was good, I think, for the kids to watch the whole process. Usually our fish comes to us breaded and with fries on the side. These fish were different. They showed us the circle of life.
