GUNS - GUNS - GUNS

PA. Yes, it was worth it.

To take part a Mentored Youth Fishing Permit or Voluntary Youth Fishing License is required. The Mentored Youth Permit is free, and the Voluntary Youth Fishing License cost is only $2.97 plus $1.00 along with $1.97 issuing agent fee.

The cost of either license is quickly overshadowed by smiles on faces of young angler’s reflecting the pride of being recognized as an angler.

Also, keep in mind adult anglers need to have in their possession an annual fishing license and current trout/salmon permit.

And if you’re looking for stocked streams that hold excep onal opportuni es to catch fish, Elk County is host to a number of streams and will be well stocked come opening day.

Elk County is the home of two excep onal sportsmen’s clubs that maintain Coopera ve Fish Hatcher

ies in partnership with the PA Fish & Boat Commission.

Domtar Fish & Game Club will be stocking a number of streams to facilitate the Mentored Youth Trout Day taking place March 25th. The stocking with include approximately 513 rainbow trout, browns, and Golden Rainbow trout.

Streams stocked by Domtar Fish & Game include: The West Branch of the Clarion River from the Mckean Co. line to the Rolfe Bridge, Silver Creek from the bridge just north of Paper City Transfer to the ballfields by the firehall. Also, Powers Run will receive trout star ng at the dam to the playground.

Island Run Sportsmen’s Club will be stocking trout for the Mentored Youth Day.the Mentored Youth Day stocking will see about 450 trout stocked in the West Branch of the Clarion River, Silver

Creek, and Powers Run. Addi onal stocking will include: Big Mill Creek at Sandy Beach Park and Elk Creek at the Daguschonda Bridge.

As in the past, a number of trout will be fi ed with a blue tag. Tags from the trout can be turned in at the Elk County Chamber of Commerce for a chance to be awarded a prize.

Also opening day will kick off the 6th annual Elk County Trout-a-thon that runs un l May 31st.

Trout stockings will include the West and East Branches of the Clarion River, Silver Creek, Powers Run, Twin Lakes, Big Mill Creek, Ridgway Reservoir, and Elk Creek.

Domtar Fish & Game will stock trout for the opening day of trout season that starts on the 1st of April.

The stockings will also include tagged trout. It was interes ng to learn that only about half the

tagged fish are returned and redeemed during the Youth Mentored Day or the Trout-a-thon. The remaining tagged fish are either caught later in the season or even the following year.

Both events have teamed up with the Elk Co. Chamber of Commerce combine to provide opportuni es for young anglers to fish and have fun.

Another event slated for the 2nd of April beginning at 2 p.m.is the St. Leo’s Kids Derby. The event is open to anglers up to 15 years of age.

A complete set of rules can be found at www. stleosfishingderby. com/ trout-derby-rules and click on “kids derby”. Registra on is required.

By sharing me streamside with a young angler, you could be the catalyst that sparks their interest in fishing and a life me of outdoor adventure.