A record number of people attended the recent 6th annual Patrick County Kids’ Trout Fishing Day held on Saturday, April 11, from 9 to 12 along the Mayo River Rail Trail in Stuart. About 145 children lined up and down the banks of the Mayo River and enjoyed great trout fishing and the outdoors with their family and friends.
“This was the best weather day we have since the event initially started. The children enjoyed a great day in Patrick County catching trout along the banks of the Mayo River and just being outside enjoying the outdoors and spending time together with family and friends,” said Sandra Heath, who helped organize the event along with, Sammy Hughes, Wayne Kirkpatrick and Dale Owens. The volunteers and adults had a large time as well.
Overall Heaviest Trout Award was presented to Eli Love; Quickest Limit Award (6) was presented to Josiah Easter; Longest Trout (Boy), Eli Love; Longest Trout (Girl), Lydia Clement.
The Overall Winner Longest Trout was Eli Love.
Shortest Trout (Boy), Weston Shough; Shortest Trout (Girl), Kendra White.
The Overall Winner Shortest Trout was Weston Shough.
Children registered as they came in and door prizes were donated by Smith River Trout Unlimited. More than 30 fishing rods were donated by Falling Creek Hunting Club. Special Thanks goes out to Rocky Mabe for sponsoring the trophies.
Thank you to all the partnerships involved in making this kids’ event a huge success in its sixth year:
Dale Owens & Staff with Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources; Sandra Heath with Patrick County Soil and Water Conservation District; Sammy Hughes & Junior Hughes and several members of the Falling Creek Hunting Club; Wayne and Betty Kirkpatrick, along with several members of Smith River Trout Unlimited, Daniel Hughes Construction, Walter Scott, Patrick County Patriots, A+ Lawn Care, Helms Septic Service, Rocky Mabe and Michael Mabe, Smith River Wildlife Club, Patrick County Aerie #4007 Fraternal Order of Eagles, Hopkins Lumber Contractors, Robbie Mitchell and Patrick County Maintenance, Southwest Piedmont Master Naturalists River Rangers Program, PCHS Fishing Team, Dan River Basin Association, County of Patrick, Patrick County Chamber of Commerce, Town of Stuart, Mallozy Food Truck. If you see all these great folks, organizations and businesses in your daily travels, please say a quick thank you.
This section of the Mayo River at the Mayo River Rail Trail is only stocked by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources once a year for the annual Patrick County Kid’s Trout Fishing Day.
The event, held rain or shine, was for youth 15 years old and younger. Adults were not permitted to fish until after the children’s event, and those participating were required to have a valid Virginia State Fishing License and Trout Stamp. Adults who were helping children were not required to have a license. Children had to be casting reel and reeling fish back in.
Patrick County’s First Kid’s Fishing Day was held in 2019. Sandra W. Heath had a vision to create an opportunity for children, as well as adults, and offer access to great fishing along the Mayo River Rail Trail and for kids and families to get out and enjoy nature.
On February 28, 2017, Mrs. Heath met with George Palmer, a biologist with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, at the Mayo River Rail Trail to discuss extending trout stocking on the South Mayo River. Soon after that initial meeting, Mrs. Heath worked with George Palmer of the VDGIF, Dale Owens, VDGIF Conservation Police Officer; then Patrick County Administrator Tom Rose. The Patrick County Board of Supervisors approved a public fishing agreement on March 13, 2017. One goal was to have an Annual Kids Trout Fishing Day, as well as to provide a great trout fishing location from the parking lot area downstream to the bench end for the public.
Through teamwork, Heath, Owens, and Wayne Kirkpatrick of the Dan River Basin Association, made the first ever Kids Trout Fishing Day a reality on April 20, 2019, along with many partnering organizations.
Thanks to all who came out this year to help make the event a success.
