Trout fishing coming to Russellville

RUSSELLVILLE — The CADDIS Fly Fishing Club, the Russellville Recreation and Parks Department, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission have again partnered to bring seasonal trout fishing to Russellville. The AGFC will stock Pleasant View Park pond with 1,200 rainbow trout, and Trout Day 2013 will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 7. This will be an opportunity for folks of all ages to “Catch a Limit of Trout in Russellville.”

The AGFC Family and Community Fishing Program has brought urban trout fishing to more than 20 communities around the state. Hundreds of adult “catchable” trout will be stocked.

“We hope that novice and seasoned fisher-persons will take advantage of this convenient opportunity to catch trout in Russellville,” said Dave Snellings, project leader for the CADDIS Fly Fishing Club. Both bait fishing and fly-fishing will be available, and bait will be provided.

Ben Batten, program coordinator for the AGFC’s Family and Community Fishing Program, announced that a Basic Trout Fishing Clinic has been scheduled for 6-7 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Hughes Center in conjunction with Trout Day 2013. The clinic is free, and a certificate for a free rod and reel will be given to each of the first 50 kids 15 or younger who attend the clinic. Each child must bring this certificate to Trout Day on Dec. 7 to receive a brand-new rod-and-reel combo.

The Family and Community Fishing program is an effort by the AGFC to provide families and children the opportunity to catch trout and enjoy a fun day of fishing.

“This annual event in Russellville has continued to be one of the best events we do anywhere in the state,” Batten said. “I really look forward to spending time with old friends and meeting new ones every year. This year, we are providing more fish than we have been able to in the past, so chances of catching trout should be very high. Please bring your own fishing gear, and we will provide the bait.”

A fishing license and trout permit (stamp) are required for people 16 and older, and all trout regulations will be enforced. The limit of five rainbow trout will apply for this trout-fishing event.

“Members of our club will be on hand to help those folks who would like to try fly-fishing for trout,” said Grant Ehren, president of the CADDIS Fly Fishing Club. “Bring your fly rod if you have one.”

Snellings added, “We hope the community really enjoys Trout Day, and we are very fortunate to be able to co-sponsor it with the Russellville Recreation and Parks Department and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.”

For more information, call the Hughes Center at (479) 968-1272.