Trout Unlimited

Trout Unlimited and the Trout in the Classroom Project May 26, 2010 Reporter: Patrick McMurtry Videographer: Brad Rice

---

EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO

These little guys have officially graduated from the latest combined effort of Trout Unlimited, local schools and the Division of Natural Resources Trout in the Classroom Project. The rainbow fingerlings were just let go in the Kanawha State Forest, but there have been many more raised and released before them.

Brent Best with the Kanawha Valley chapter of Trout Unlimited says this program has been hugely successful. "We did the first pilot program with St. Albans Elementary and we went from one tank to 8 last year in the Kanawha Valley and this year we've grown the program to 22 schools across the state and we probably touched 6,000 kids and parents in the process."

That alone would make this project a success, but when you consider that all those people were releasing trout in waters that usually don't get stocked, well, you can see just how far reaching the Trout in the Classroom project really is.

"Kanawha State Forest has never had rainbow trout in their creeks. The last few years, there have been some trout put up in the upper reaches and have lived, so we are promoting the kids throughout the school year to grow the fish from eggs to fingerlings and then take them out to local streams and we're stocking fish." says Best.

That's just one benefit of this program. By the time spring comes around and it's time to release the fish, these kids know a whole lot more than just trout trivia.

"It's a way to teach the kids the importance of clean water and the life cycle of the fish and what it takes to get that fish from egg to fingerling and what that entails and they monitor water quality and things of that nature and are constantly changing and adjusting the water." says Best.

And when you consider all the time they take compiling and writing reports, you can see this is more than just your basic biology project!

How To Contact WCHS-TV8 | Privacy Policy | FCC Public File | Terms and Conditions | DMCA Policy | Frequently Asked Questions

Home | Eyewitness News Newsroom | Storm Team Weather | Eyewitness Sports | Schedules

---

Send email to news@wchstv.com for information or comments concerning WCHS-TV Eyewitness News.

Copyright ©2013, WCHS-TV8. Portions are
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed.