SEYMOUR LAND TRUST’s

19th Annual Fishing Festival Newsletter “

This year’s annual fishing event, in memory of William “Bill” Melson, will be held on Friday, May 15th and Saturday, May 16^th, 2009. On Friday, there will be an education class from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Environmental Building. This will teach children about how important it is to have clean streams, environmental issues, how to fish – including types of bait (especially at Legion Pool), equipment, how to set the hook, how to play the fish, then release the fish unharmed.

Following the educational class, students will assist with stocking Legion Pool with over 700 beautiful trout and each student who attended the class will be allowed to apply and test their fishing skills with one of our expert instructors during this pre-rodeo fishing event. They will be allowed to catch and release one trout with one of our experts, so bring your fishing pole and camera on Friday evening. Help stock the trout at Legion Pool on May 9, 2008. The class begins at 5 p.m. and stocking will take place at 6 p.m. You will have an opportunity to see the monster trout on Friday night. There will also be trout in an aquarium, including brook, brown, rainbow, golden, and tiger trout. This is a great tool for trout identification. You can see them close-up.

On Saturday, May 16th, 2009 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. there will be a fishing event for children 3 to 16 years of age. This is open to the general public. You do not have to be a Seymour resident or Land Trust member to participate in any of these events.

A $500 U.S.EE bond will be awarded to the first angler to successfully catch and release the huge monster trout that will be stocked for this program. If you are a Land Trust member and are the first to catch this breeder trout, you will receive a $1000 EE bond. This is sponsored by the James Perez family in memory of their son, Danny Perez. Danny was an avid fisherman and his family has been sponsoring this award for 12 years. The monster has never been caught during the program. Will this be the first year? We hope so! We also have a huge trophy to award to the angler who catches this monster during the rodeo. It has been collecting dust. There is no fee or cost for participating in this fishing rodeo. All children 10 years of age or younger must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.

Fishing poles will be given to children who cannot afford them, but they must contact Joe Grabinski at 641-1819 and attend the safety and education class.

There will be an afternoon program for special needs individuals from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 16th, 2009. This will be for individuals of all ages who are mentally or physically disabled. Free refreshments will be served to these individuals and fishing experts will be available to assist them. They will be provided with fishing equipment. We guarantee every individual in the special needs program will catch a fish, win a trophy, and receive a prize. We bring smiles to hundreds of people and enrich their lives.

Following these programs, volunteers will have a mini-fishing rodeo. Volunteers are always needed to assist with food services, registration, award tables, fishing and security. If you wish to volunteer please call Joe Grabinski at 641-1819. ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THESDEDICATED VOLUNTEERS.

Our goal is to reach out and touch many lives so that this will be an experience they never forget. We have been doing this since 1990. It is one of the largest and most unique programs of its kind. Help us keep it going! VOLUNTEER!!!