Halloween is approaching fast, and so are the rainbow trout at Nanaimo's Colliery Dam Park after the fall stock release from the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C.
At Colliery Dam Park on Friday, Oct. 25, the effort to release 500 catchable-size rainbow trout was coordinated with the society and Fishing for Fun, a registered not-for-profit that collects used fishing gear to provide for low income families. It was a public event as part of the city's official Fall Fishing Challenge and included a costume contest.
Mike Lawrence, founder of Fishing for Fun, said the event was all about getting families out fishing.
"There's not really a lot of people that offer the opportunity to teach [fishing] to the families, so it is a bit of a passion project for me," Lawrence said. "I enjoy seeing the smiles on the families."
Although any fish caught during the day would likely not be the same ones that were just released, as those trout would still be getting acclimated to their new environment, according to Lawrence.
"They actually stock the lake prior to this so there's actual fish in here for people to catch for the Fall Fishing Challenge, however the ones that are released today, chances are they will need a day or two to get caught. [It's] kind of like waking up in the morning, and you're like 'Hey, where am I?'"
Ahead of the release, where the society emptied their tanker into the lower reservoir, youth had the opportunity to release trout of their own, after being handed buckets with a live fish.
Chris Stone, senior fish culturist with Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. said the release represents "a huge part" of their job.
"This is the end result of lots of work raising these fish, just putting them in the lake for anglers to catch, that's what we're here for..." Stone said. "It's very satisfying, especially seeing the smiles on everyone's faces and seeing them enjoying it."
Easton Currie, who dressed as Link from Legend of Zelda, didn't come for the fishing, but came with his family for the costume contest. Still, he and his siblings eagerly took part in the opportunity to release the trout.
"It's cool," Currie said, adding that he chose Link because Legend of Zelda was one of his favourite games, alongside Minecraft and Mario Kart. "Maybe because he's a hero."
The Fall Fishing Challenge takes place from Oct. 9-26, at any of Nanaimo's inner-city lakes including Westwood Lake, Long Lake, Green Lake, Brannen Lake, Colliery Dam and Diver Lake. Participants take a picture of a catch next to a business card for size reference, then e-mail their name and photo to parksandrecreation@nanaimo.ca for a chance to win daily prizes.
Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C. is responsible for raising and releasing various fish, including trout, into over 800 lakes across B.C. to improve fishing for local anglers.
