February 2016 Marsh & Bayou | Page 8

M&B News Get Out and Fish! Event at Sidney D.Torres Memorial Park is a Success The Get Out and Fish! event at Sidney D. Torres Memorial Park in Chalmette last Saturday attracted over 500 participants! Anglers arrived ready to fish for their chance to catch departmentstocked rainbow trout donated by Greer’s National Fish Hatchery. LDWF and St. Bernard Parish will continue stocking Sidney D. Torres Memorial Park with two more stockings of adult-sized channel catfish in the months to come. "I was amazed at the number of people that came out to the event,” explained Fisheries Extension Program Manager, Danica Williams. “Everyone seemed very appreciative of the Get Out & Fish! event that provided family and friends an opportunity to fish close to their homes.” This free event hosted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, St. Bernard Parish and the St. Bernard Sportsman's League offered fun fishing activities for all ages including a mobile touch tank, casting inflatable and more. The first 200 pre-registered participants received a variety of gifts from our sponsors. Additionally, every participant was entered into a raffle drawing and an array of prizes were given away to the attendees. The St. Bernard Parish Fire Department provided lunch for all attendees. Fishing competition categories included heaviest rainbow trout and heaviest “other” fish. Age divisions included Little Angler (ages 8 and under), Junior Angler (ages 9-15) and Adult Angler (ages 16 and older). The Get Out and Fish! program seeks to increase the number of people with access to quality fishing. The program intends to recruit new anglers to the sport of fishing and promote outdoor activities to our future generation of anglers. For event information, contact Danica Williams at [email protected] or (504) 628-7282. 8 February 2016 www.marshandbayou.com