Making friends with the fish

We had another exciting opportunity last week, to visit a fish farm. (We really seem to be getting around this month!) We were lead through the grounds by the two lovely ladies who run the operation. They are currently running not only a chemical free rainbow trout hatchery, but a fly fishing club and lodge as well.

We were given our "tour" through the hatchery building where they raise the babies from eggs taken from the mothers on their farm and hand fertilized, and shown the different ponds where they feed them to specified sizes.

The girls were able to throw fish food to the trout at each of the ponds and experience the fish swimming over and thrashing to get the food right before them.

The girls had never really experienced fish in any manner except through an aquarium and I think they left with a greater appreciation of the natural habitat of fish. (something about 1000's of fish underfoot!)

We hiked through the trails, to the fishing lodge where the girls were able to see many different species of birds, ducks, and small mammals frozen in their natural state. It's not often that you can get such a close look at an Osprey or an Owl and the girls accepted their state without question.

Then, the best for last, the girls were each given a fish- yes that's right, and not a small one either, to take home and release into the pond. The process in itself was fascinating. The fish were transfered from the above fish "holding cages" to a plastic bag which was then pumped full of oxygen to get them through the ride home. They then travelled in style in the back of the car, and were transported downhill in the back of a wagon and released to their new home! We wish you the best Rainbow, Unicorn, Flower, Sue, Beauty, Speckles, Arlene, Sparkle, Goldie and any of the other names the girls came up with for our 5 wonderful fish on the hour drive home!