For the kids
Youth fishing program returns to South Union鈥檚 park at Hutchinson
Fayette County kids will again enjoy an exciting and convenient fishing opportunity thanks to Friends of Jim Tobal. Gary Brain, co-chairman of the group, said his organization will soon stock trout into Hutchinson Run, the small stream that flows through South Union Township鈥檚 Community Park at Hutchinson. The fish are intended for kids-only recreation.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 yet know the exact date of the fish delivery,鈥� Brain said. 鈥淏ut it will likely be sometime during the week of March 23. It has been difficult to obtain trout from commercial hatcheries recently, which lost some of their production capacity during last year鈥檚 extreme drought. But we did manage to reserve a greater number this year for the kids鈥� events at Hutchinson.鈥�
Brain said youths aged 16 and under are invited to fish for trout in the stream that flows along the park鈥檚 walking trail, on a catch & release basis from now through March 28. Young anglers are asked to use artificial lures or flies during this period. Fishing with live or processed baits is discouraged to ensure survival of released trout.
On March 29, the official statewide Youth Mentor Trout Day, kids fishing the stream can keep two trout, and may fish with any tackle, including bait. On that day, all Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Youth Mentor regulations apply. Adult mentors may assist kids but may not actively fish themselves.
Fishing reverts to catch-and-release, artificial lures, March 30 through April 4.
The general statewide trout season opens on April 5. Beginning that date, kids fishing at the park at Hutchinson may fish with any tackle and bait and may keep 5 trout per day.
The Chestnut Ridge Chapter of Trout Unlimited, of which Jim Tobal was a long-time member will stock the stream again shortly after April 5. Chestnut Ridge TU (CRTU) raises its trout in a unique cage-design nursery in the tailrace immediately downstream of the Youghiogheny Reservoir Dam at Confluence. CRTU is a cooperator with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in the agency鈥檚 cooperative nursery program. The Commission supplies CRTU with between 6,000 and 8,000 fingerling trout each fall. CRTU volunteers raise the fish to catchable size and release hundreds each spring to support youth fishing experiences. The remainder are stocked in waters open to public fishing that do not support wild trout, especially the Youghiogheny River.
The youth fishing program commemorates Jim Tobal, long-time area educator, Laurel Highlands school director, outdoorsman and conservationist. Tobal pioneered the idea of a special kids鈥� fishing area at the park and worked with South Union Township to develop it as an ideal fishing location for beginners.
鈥淛im [Tobal] taught for over 40 years at Laurel Highlands,鈥� said Brain, a former Laurel Highlands School District Superintendent. 鈥淗e put this event together initially and ran it for years because he loved to see kids enjoy the outdoors. His wife Patty and brother Mike continue to be wonderful supporters of Jim鈥檚 commitment to connect kids with nature.鈥�
Brain noted that South Union Township supervisors and their staff have made significant improvements this year to the fishing area.
鈥淲e really appreciate the dedication of the township to this project,鈥� Brain said. 鈥淭hey have continued to improve the site, as Jim Tobal envisioned, and this year, due to their efforts, there will be more room for kids to spread out and fish along the stream.鈥�
There is no cost for kids to fish at the park. Youth 16 and over, however, must possess a valid Pennsylvania fishing license. Organizers point out that the township park is a different facility than the nearby Hutchinson Sportsmen鈥檚 Club, and that the Jim Tobal memorial youth event does not extend upstream to club property.
If the group can raise enough money, it will buy fish for a third trout stocking for kids sometime later in April.
Anyone interested in supporting the kids鈥� fishing project at the township park at Hutchinson can call Gary Brain (724-323-6132) to donate.
鈥淢y brother would be so proud to see this opportunity carried on for area kids,鈥� said Mike Tobal, co-chairman of the project and Jim Tobal鈥檚 brother.
South Union鈥檚 Community Park and Hutchinson Recreation Area are just south of Uniontown, on Stadium Drive. It鈥檚 also accessible from the Sheepskin Trail.
Ben Moyer is a member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association and the Outdoor Writers Association of America.