Thanks to all who came out to help make the annual 2025 Patrick County Kids’ Trout Fishing Day a success. The 5th annual Patrick County Kids’ Trout Fishing Day was held on Saturday, April 12, along the Mayo River Rail Trail in Stuart. Approximately 140 children lined up and down the banks of the Mayo River and enjoyed great trout fishing with their family and friends.
“Even with the cool weather, 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, event organizer along with Wayne Kirkpatrick and Dale Owens. The volunteers and adults had a grand time as well.
Overall Heaviest Trout Award was presented to: Gabby Wright, 3.31 lbs. Gabby was presented a trophy in memory of David Hayes, cash, and a guided Kibler Valley fishing trip by Rocky and Mike Mabe.
Quickest Limit Award (6) (In Memory of Marvin Haden) was presented to: Aaron Atkins, 9:18 a.m.; Aaron was presented a trophy in memory of Marvin Haden, and a silver dollar by Rocky and Mike Mabe.
Longest Trout (Boy): Asher Perry, 18 ¼ inches. Asher was presented a trophy and silver dollar in memory of L. H. “Piggy” Mabe by Rocky Mabe and Mike Mabe.
Longest Trout (Girl): Gabby Wright, 21 inches. Gabby was presented a trophy and silver dollar in memory of L. H. “Piggy” Mabe by Rocky Mabe and Mike Mabe.
Overall Winner Longest Trout- Gabby Wright. Gabby was presented a fly rod package donated by Wayne Kirkpatrick, Eric Tichay and Smith River Trout Unlimited.
Shortest Trout (Boy): Camden Meeks, 8 ½ inches. Camden was presented a trophy by Rocky and Mike Mabe,
Shortest Trout (Girl): Emree Barnard, 10 inches. Emree was presented a trophy by Rocky and Mike Mabe.
Overall Winner Shortest Trout: Camden Meeks. Camden was presented a fly rod package donated by Wayne Kirkpatrick, Eric Tichay and Smith River Trout Unlimited.
Children registered as they came in and door prizes were donated by Kirkpatrick and Eric Tichay with Smith River Trout Unlimited. More than 30 fishing rods were donated by Falling Creek Hunting Club. Sandra Heath and several anonymous donations were made. Special thanks to Rocky Mabe and Mike Mabe for the awesome trophies and other great door prizes they presented and in memory and honor of their friend David Hayes, who was an avid outdoorsman, along with memorials to L.H. “Piggy” Mabe and Marvin Haden as well.
Thank you to all the partnerships involved in making this kids’ event a huge success in its fifth year, including Sammy Hughes, Junior Hughes, Danny Hughes and Angela Spence and many other members of the Falling Creek Hunting Club; Rocky Mabe, Michael Mabe; Wayne and Betty Kirkpatrick and Eric Tichay, along with members of Smith River Trout Unlimited; Dale Owens & Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources; Sandra Heath with Patrick County Soil and Water Conservation District; PCHS Fishing Team; Dan River Basin Association; Robbie Mitchell and Rodney Hall and Patrick County Maintenance; Norma Bozenmayer and the River Rangers Program sponsored by Southwest Piedmont Master Naturalists and Patrick County AGCI group; Vincent’s Legacy, Kindness Rocks to help educate others on the effects of bullying; Lora Mahaffey and Bull Mountain Arts; One Family Productions; Helms Septic Service; Mallozy Food Truck; County of Patrick; Patrick County Chamber of Commerce; Town of Stuart. Forgive us if we missed anyone.
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, rain or shine, was for youth 15 years old and younger from 9 – 12. Adults were not permitted to fish until after the children’s event and then the adults must have a Valid Virginia State Fishing License and Trout Stamp to fish. Adults who were helping children, were not required to have a license, this event was for the children. 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 give an opportunity for children as well as adults access to great fishing along the Mayo River Rail Trail and for kids & families to get out and enjoy nature. On February 28, 2017, she met with George Palmer, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Biologist at the Mayo River Rail Trail to discuss extending trout stocking on the South Mayo River. Soon after Mrs. Heath worked with George Palmer, VDGIF; Dale Owens, VDGIF Conservation Police Officer; and Tom Rose, Patrick County Administrator and the Patrick County Board of Supervisors as well, a public fishing agreement was agreed to and voted 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, Sandra Heath, Patrick SWCD, Dale Owens, Conservation Police Officer and Wayne Kirkpatrick, Dan River Basin Association made the 1st Annual Kids Trout Fishing Day a reality on April 20, 2019, along with many partnering organizations.
