News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
Reel Recreation volunteer Kevin Mahurin presents a child with a trout just caught on the child's pole as Lee Seekins records the big event on her phone. Nic Alexander, standing, said about 400-500 people attended the Fun Friday event prior to the Triple Fish Challenge tournament on Saturday and Sunday. Complete results of the tourney are on page 9. - Scott Hunter photos
Brian Walters, with son Braydon and wife Kari, stands with their trophies and the Jackson Kayak he won for grand prize in last weekend's Triple Fish Challenge tournament at Coulee Playland on Banks Lake. All three participated in the tournament. - Reel Recreation photo
Delaney King takes pointers from a Reel Recreation volunteer and her dad, Rick King, left, during an afternoon of fishing from shore and other fun stuff Friday before the weekend's Triple Fish Challenge.
From Newman Lake to Lake Stevens, they came to fish Banks Lake last weekend to try to catch three different species of fish on each of two days.
Local Brian Walters completed the task, with the greatest combined weights to take the big prize of a tricked-out Jackson kayak.
Reel Recreation, a local non-profit led by fishing friends and dedicated to promoting fishing and other outdoor activities for kids, put on the Triple Fish Challenge tournament, which started in 2013 under the local chamber of commerce.
Before the main event, however, Reel Recreation also organized, for the second year, a "Friday Fun Day" for kids' activities.
Those ranged from panning for gold (yes, they brought real gold and taught the panning technique) to actual fishing along the shore at Coulee Playland. A marshmallow roasting station and places to buy food added to the atmosphere, with live music playing on the stage.
Some 58 anglers signed up for the challenge and launched in 25 boats over the two days. Reel Recreation President Nic Alexander said between 400 and 500 people came through the site on Friday, where volunteers were busy showing children how to reel in a fish. The shoreline, behind a long net, had been stocked with trout, courtesy of Pacific Seafood, the company that raises them in net pens in the Columbia River on the Colville Reservation near Nespelem.
"We're super proud to be a part of Real Rec," said Danielle Florenzen, fish health lab manager for Pacific Seafood. "We're all about community and youth and getting kids outdoors. ... The Real Rec mission is ... exactly what Pacific loves about events like this and getting involved in our community."
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