Jase Connolly, 10, of Lincoln City and his brother Kingson, 5, admire the trout he caught Saturday at Eckman Lake east of Waldport during a kids event sponsored by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife and First Baptist Church of Waldport. (Quinton Smith/Lincoln Chronicle)The 27th annual family fishing event sponsored by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife and First Baptist Church of Waldport drew more than 200 children and their parents Saturday to Eckman Lake east of Waldport.
The event drew volunteers from the church, which held a carnival across Highway 34 from the fishing area, and volunteers from the Longview Hills Fishing Club of Newport and Angell Job Corps near Yachats.
Volunteers from the Longview Hills Fishing Club of Newport help youngsters catch trout during a special event Saturday at Eckman Lake near Waldport. (Quinton Smith/Lincoln Chronicle)Fishing club members had lots of poles for kids to use, helped them bait hooks and even had a booth to show families how to make their own lures.
Some 1,400 rainbow trout and 50 trophy trout were released into a netted area at the lake. Prizes were awarded every hour for the largest fish landed.
“It’s my first fish ever,” Jase Connolly, 10, of Lincoln City said as he proudly showed off one of two rainbow trout he caught.
Across Highway 34 from the lake, church members staged a carnival with a bouncy house, obstacle course, casting games along with free hot dogs, drinks and cotton candy.
Volunteers at First Baptist Church of Waldport measure a fish caught Saturday at Eckman Lake. Prizes were awarded every hour for the largest fish caught. (Quinton Smith/Lincoln Chronicle)Have a photo and short story to share? Send it here.
