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Fairchild families find fish during derby

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Benjamin W. Stratton
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Nearly 1,000 kids assisted by more than 100 volunteers from across Washington State came out to Fairchild's Clear Lake Resort and Recreation Area May 2 for their annual fishing derby.

"This event is very important to the kids and their parents as it gets them outside and educates them on the world we live in," said Mike Johnson, the Clear Lake Resort and Recreation Area facility manager.

The event cost $10 per child and included a T-shirt, fishing pole and three fish gutted and cleaned on-site by Clear Lake personnel and volunteers. The military recreation area is located on the shores of Clear Lake and designed to provide enjoyment for off-duty Fairchild personnel, including active duty, retired military, National Guard, Reservists, DOD civilian employees and family members. This 34-acre area is considered a great place for fishing, water skiing, swimming and boating with equipment rentals on-site.

"The fishing derby is great for the state too because it educates these kids on the rules of the trade while keeping them interested in our lakes and the environment," Johnson said. "We brought in 10,400 farm-raised fish for the kids to try and catch."

Johnson said roughly 2,500 fish were caught.

"They had the choice of either keeping the fish or donating them to the food bank," added Carla Ferguson, a Spokane Fly Fishers Club volunteer. "These events are really all about the kids and I had a lot of fun helping them enjoy their day."



Volunteers came from all over the state and several different agencies including the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Spokane Fly Fishers Club, Spokane Bass Club, C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation, Fairchild Air Force Base and the Spokane Tribe of Indians.

"My favorite was fishing on the dock and seeing all the fish swimming around us!" exclaimed Riley Smith, a Fairchild youth. "We had a lot of fun and can't wait for next year!"