If parents are casting about for summer activities for their children, the Zigzag Ranger District is tipping the scale in the direction of Trillium Lake.

The district will host its annual Free Youth Fishing Clinic from 9 a.m. to 2
p.m., June 24 at Trillium Lake, located off Hwy. 26 three miles east of
Government Camp.

“This is a great event for the whole family, and an opportunity for kids to not
only have fun fishing but to also learn about the aquatic environment and to
be in the outdoors,” Darcy Saiget, fish biologist for the Mount Hood National
Forest, wrote in a press release.

The clinic is free and intended for kids 12 and younger, but young adults and
parents are also welcome. The children will have the opportunity to fish with
an expert angler, learn catch and release techniques, and to learn how to
cast.

Children should bring lunch, warm clothing, a rod and reel if possible, and a
cooler to bring home their catch of the day. Limited quantities of rods and
reels along with bait will be provided. Children 12 and under must be
accompanied by an adult, and licenses are required for anyone 13 years and
older. Licenses are not available at the event.

Two area clinics were held in May and were deemed a success.
“Forest Service staff are thrilled with how many returning participants we had
from past years and impressed by the participants positive attitudes and
fishing skills,” forest service fisheries technician Cate Dillion wrote in an email
to The Mountain Times.

Local clinic sponsors include Skyway Bar and Grill, Mt. Hood Skibowl, Welches
Mountain Supply and Rhododendron Dairy Queen.

The event is held in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.