Families are invited to have their kids cast a line in a weekend of free fishing at the Polson Park pond in Vernon May 3-4.
The annual event put on by the Kalamalka Fly Fishers has been held at Polson Park for about 25 years, and this could be the final year at that location.
Perry Wainwright, with the Fly Fishers, said because the city's naturalization of Vernon Creek through Polson Park will extend to and beyond the pond, the event will eventually have to be held elsewhere. He said it's unclear when that will need to happen but it could be as early as next year.
Wainwright said the Fly Fishers are in talks with Lake Country's Oceola Fish and Game Club about potentially holding the fishing in Winfield in future years, but so far nothing is set in stone.
"They've got some property, I'm not exactly sure where," Wainwright said. "There's a big process to go through. We'll have to find a spot, get the biologists from Penticton to OK it for pond use that we can use for fishing." He added the pond needs to have a natural bottom.
This means the upcoming kids' fishing weekend could well be the last one held in Vernon at a location Wainwright said has been ideal, because it's right in the centre of town where people can easily access it via walking or nearby bus lines.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 3, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 4. Kids aged four to 14 can come and catch up to two fish per day, free of charge.
"A lot of these kids, it's their first opportunity to really fish," said Wainwright, adding many locals tell him the first fish they ever caught was at Polson Park.
The pond will be drained down prior to the event and netting will be put up to keep the fish in place for easier catching. On Wednesday, May 1, between 800 and 1,000 rainbow trout will be transported from the trout hatchery in Summerland and placed into the pond. Freshwater Fisheries provides the trout for the event free of charge.
"The club members have enjoyed doing it for all these years and wished we could continue doing it here in Vernon, but as things go, it's great seeing all the families come down and parents watching their kids catch fish," Wainwright said.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Rods and reels will be supplied for those who don't have their own, and guides will be available to help kids land their catch.