SILVER LAKE — The first Streeter’s Resort Kids Fishing Derby on Saturday was a big hit as 35 kids spent the morning under sunny skies reeling in panfish along the northeastern shore of Silver Lake near Toutle.
The kids caught over 40 fish, with some of the kids landing three or more fish.
The event was the brainchild of Tim Russell, who along with his wife, Ginger, are the new owners of the resort.
“The whole idea is for the kids to have a good time and to introduce them to fishing,” said Russell. “Once they get into the fishing they are going to want to go fishing and camping and get away from the video games.”
Russell pointed to a happy youngster who was proudly carrying his most recent catch to the weigh station.
“Look at this little tyke right here,” he said, “A net in his hand and another fish to get weighed out. That’s what it’s all about.”
The kids certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves. Armed with the simple repertoire of a bobber with worms for bait, they teased the lake’s panfish into biting.
The day started with the kids and parents gathering for a talk on the rules and the boundaries and then the family groups dispersed to the resorts three floating docks to try their luck.
For children without equipment, Kent Williams of Rods and Reels for Kids was there to provide free gear. Williams spent a busy morning rigging up and de-tangling reels for the participants.
Rods and Reels for Kids is a local nonprofit with the goal of putting a fishing rod in the hands of every kid in the Vancouver-Portland Metro area.
Other volunteers included members of the Vancouver Wildlife League.
The youngsters were given worms for bait that had been cut down to a good size for small panfish. The small bites were perfect for the day’s catches of small bluegill and yellow perch.
The sight of all those families having fun brought smiles to Russell, who purchased the resort in April. The establishment had been more of an adult-oriented resort, but Russell envisioned a more family-friendly environment.
“It was more of an adult atmosphere, kind of do what you want to do,” said Russell.
He found the heavy alcohol use troubling, and he wanted a place where the parents weren’t afraid to let their kids roll up to the store to get an ice cream cone without having to pass groups of hard-partying adults.
“When we first bought it, I felt uncomfortable with all that, and I told Ginger were changing it,” he said. “We changed the whole atmosphere. It’s a work in process, and some people don’t like it, but about 85 percent of them do. They are coming out here, and then rebooking.”
The kid’s derby was a great way to showcase the family atmosphere. However, with only a couple months to get ready to pull it off, Russell said there were plenty of difficulties. Organizing a fishing derby is not easy and takes time, which they had little of.
“It was a last-minute thing that we threw together, but the kids are having a wonderful time, and there’s no cost to anybody.”
It was a learning process for the new owners, and with the lessons learned they will be better prepared for their derbies in the future.
“I’ve learned what to do ahead of time, and each year it will grow and more people will be involved.”
Among other things he hopes for are more prize donations, and to get the WDFW involved. That could mean setting nets around the docks and stocking out trout for the kids to catch.
However, the youngsters were clearly having fun catching panfish, and were enjoying playing the bobber game.
The parents seemed to enjoy it, too. They helped school the kids on how to cast, when to reel the line in, and how to be patient.
About noon the Russell’s called in the participants for a hot dog lunch, and began presenting trophies. There were three age classes: zero to five, six to 11, and 12 through 15. Prizes were awarded for the biggest three fish in each age category, and there were other prizes awarded via raffle. All of the children received some kind of prize by the end of the day.
Youngster Bridger Dooly had a good day, winning the zero to five age group for biggest fish, and counting off on his fingers the fish he had caught.
“I caught one…two….three fish!” he proudly stated at the awards ceremony.
The children were also treated to a visit by the local fire department. The big yellow fire engine was a hit, with many of the kids climbing into the seats of the cab.
While the kids had fun there was another upside. The children were learning lessons about the outdoors. They learned not only how to catch fish, but also that you had to handle them delicately if you want to release them.
At the end of the day, the smiles on the faces of the fishers as they headed home seemed to make all the hard work of the volunteers and the Russell’s well worth it.
Streeter’s Resort rents out small cabins and has spaces for RV’s and tent camping, and also rents small boats and kayaks. It is a cozy resort that puts the emphasis on families.
