West Virginia Wildlife from Eyewitness News

Eagle Scout

A Wood county Boy Scout gets soaked, and earns his Eagle Scout award.

November 29, 2006
Reporter: Patrick McMurtry
Videographer: Brad Rice

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"I think we got all the fish."

These Girl Scouts are learning the ropes about Palestine Fish Hatchery and what it takes to keep the massive operation churning out fish.

"Oh gosh, look, your specialty."

While they're dredging the holding tank, Boy Scouts are working the drained ponds picking up scattered fish. It's all part of the annual effort at the hatchery and the last step in a lifetime effort by one special young man. Parkersburgh South Junior Chuck Corra.

Chis O'Barra/DNR Fish Biologist says:
"He's been coming out here just helping out at the hatchery with some members of his boy scout troop. He's got a keen interest in the fisheries and doing something in the natural environment and when it was time for him to do his Eagle project, he asked if he could do something in the hatchery and do something that was worthwhile for the natural resources, so he's out here today working and tagging the fish doing what it takes to get them out of the pond."

Chuck Corra/Eagle Scout says:
"I talked to Chris O'Barra who's the manager here and I wanted to do something at the hatchery because I had been here before and enjoy what they do down here and I wanted to do something that involved fish and the hatchery."

"We're emptying ponds at the Palestine Fish Hatchery and we're getting the fish out. They're either musky, paddlefish and some walleye and catfish and what we're gonna do is tag them and put them in the river."

It might not sound too involved, but even a seasoned scout like Chuck learns something new throughout this day long process. By taking time to work with the musky at the hatchery now, Chuck knows he has a good chance about learning even more about these specific fish over the next several years.

Chuck Corra/Eagle Scout says:
"What are you doing now, Chuck? Right now I'm taking a needle and insert it into the fish and inject a little bit of ink in it. What's that going to do. It's going to tag it so we can identify it. In case it's caught again? Yeah."

Then that will be a whole different project and it's a good bet Chuck and these other Scouts, will somehow be involved.

LEARN MORE

W. Va. DNR

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