NEWS  RELEASE

 

 

Seymour Land Trust’s

20th Annual Spectacular Fishing Festival

at Legion Pool in memory of Fran Gauvin

to be held on May 20 - 21, 2011

 

 

 

Joe Grabinski, Chairman of the Board of the Seymour Land Trust, said that the Land Trust will once again be sponsoring one of the largest and most exciting fishing programs in the State of Connecticut.  This year’s event will be our 20th anniversary and is named in memory of Fran Gauvin, a dedicated volunteer and lifetime member of the Land Trust.

 

The fishing program is a two-day event which begins on Friday, May 20th and continues on Saturday, May 21st.  There are no rain dates.  You do not have to be a Land Trust member or resident of Seymour to participate.  The Land Trust does not charge any fees or have any registration requirements for its events.  The fishing festival is open to the general public, as are all of the Land Trust’s events.

 

There will be many trophies and prizes awarded to the participants.  First prize will be awarded to the first angler who successfully catches and releases the “monster” trout, which is going to be over 20 inches.  A $500 series EE bond will be issued to that angler, along with a “monster” trophy.  If the winner is a Seymour Land Trust member, the bounty will be a $1,000 EE savings bond.  This award is sponsored by the James Perez family in memory of Dan Perez. 

 

On Friday, May 20, at 5:00 p.m. there will be a one-hour education class held at Legion Pool, 13 Chatfield Street, Seymour.  This program is designed to teach beginning anglers how to “catch and release” fish and learn the secrets of Legion Pool fishing.  Children should bring their fishing poles as they will have an opportunity to cast and catch fish Friday evening under the watchful eyes of our experts.  Children who participate in the one-hour class will have an opportunity to catch one of more than 1,000 trout into Legion Pool, including golden, tiger, brook, brown, and rainbow trout.   The pool will contain approximately 1,000 trout for this event.  Joe Grabinski, Chairman of the event, suggested that people bring their cameras and fishing poles Friday evening to practice their fishing skills.

 

On Saturday, May 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., children ages 3 to 16 are invited to participate in the fishing festival.  The theme will be “catch and release.”  All fish must be released unharmed.  There will be many volunteers on hand to assist anglers throughout the day.  Bait and fishing poles are available at this program.  Children who do not own and cannot afford fishing equipment will be given equipment to keep.  The child or parent must contact Joe Grabinski at 641-1819 and attend the Friday and Saturday programs. 

 

Every child would like to catch a trout and the Land Trust is determined to do what they can to be sure each child succeeds.  Frank Conroy, President of the Seymour Land Trust stated, “This program is much more than catching fish.  It is about the gift a parent or grandparent can give their children, and that is the gift of your time.”  The experience will enrich the lives of all the participants.  Fishing creates an unbreakable bond between a child and an adult.

 

The second fishing module will be held on Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  This is designed to accommodate handicapped adults, group home residents, special needs individuals, and nursing home residents.  The special needs program will include free food and refreshments.  It is not necessary to bring a fishing pole.  The Land Trust will supply equipment and experienced fishermen to assist all the participants in this part of the fishing festival.   

 

The Land Trust and many local businesses, which will be listed on the Land Trust  website and in the fishing festival program, have provided funds for this unique fishing program.  For more information, you may access their website at www.seymourlandtrust.org.

 

At present, the Seymour Land Trust is developing a park at the corner of Day and Pearl Streets in Seymour.  This site was donated to the Land Trust by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 5078.  It has bocce courts, picnic tables, a small gazebo, and benches along Bladen Brook.

 

If anyone is interested in joining the efforts of the group, they can do so by downloading a membership form from their website, or by sending in their name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and type of membership, along with a check to:

                                                Seymour Land Conservation Trust, Inc.

                                                P. O. Box 366

                                                Seymour, CT   06483

 

A family membership includes children 16 years of age or younger and costs $30.  An individual membership is $20.  Membership allows you to fish in Legion Pool on a “catch and release” basis, as well as being able to rent (for a nominal fee) the Henry Hamel Environmental Building to hold family gatherings.  They also welcome volunteers who wish to help at any of their annual programs and/or with the upkeep of their various parks.

 

The Seymour Land Trust is committed to enhancing the quality of life for all the people in our community by utilizing and respecting our natural resources.