Taking kids fishing

[FishingGirl]

Hello all. I work with a non-profit called The Mayfly Project. We mentor foster children through fly fishing. We teach them about conservation, caring for our local waters, fly-fishing, fly-tying and a ton more. What we struggle with the most is finding a safe place to take them fishing. We need to find a place that has enough room for a group of about 10-20 people that also has fish! Maybe you know of a private stocked pond? Or a pay-to-fish place that will allow catch and release? We have taken kids to the U-fish place in Cle Elum in the past and it was wonderful. Unfortunately, they are no longer replying to any emails or voice mails. There is a place in Spanaway called Jim's u-fish but they will not allow catch and release. Does anyone here know of a person that could help us to locate water for our kids? These kids are in desperate need of outdoor time and someone to care about them enough to do the work to locate a safe place. Please help me out if you can. Thank you in advance.

 

[Stonedfish]

Would a place like Pooh’s Ponds in Port Angeles work or would that be too far to travel?
It is a pay to play place.
SF

 

[JLT]

Trophy lake golf and fishing could be a great resource

Casting - Trophy Lake Golf & Casting

Trophy Lake Golf & Casting is proud to offer a wonderful fly fishing experience in our well-stocked trout ponds.

www.trophylakegolf.com

 

[RCF]

At the far end of a lake you are getting to know is a community center and acreage. It is private (only certain members of the community can use it) but worth a shot. PM coming with contact info.

 

[Chadk]

For casting practice and a chance to possibly hook up... Lake Tye in Monroe is an option as long as it isn't a warm sunny day - the beach is usually wide open. Safe and very group friendly. I may be able to help with some lessons. Been involved with foster care (adopted 5 out of they system) and would love to help.

 

[FishingGirl]

Would a place like Pooh’s Ponds in Port Angeles work or would that be too far to travel?
It is a pay to play place.

Would a place like Pooh’s Ponds in Port Angeles work or would that be too far to travel?
It is a pay to play place.
SF

That place would be ideal but it is way too far to take the kids. Thank you for your reply!

 

[FishingGirl]

For casting practice and a chance to possibly hook up... Lake Tye in Monroe is an option as long as it isn't a warm sunny day - the beach is usually wide open. Safe and very group friendly. I may be able to help with some lessons. Been involved with foster care (adopted 5 out of they system) and would love to help.

Please send me a PM so we can talk about how to help!

 

[FishingGirl]

Trophy lake golf and fishing could be a great resource

Casting - Trophy Lake Golf & Casting

Trophy Lake Golf & Casting is proud to offer a wonderful fly fishing experience in our well-stocked trout ponds.

www.trophylakegolf.com

This looks great! I may go check them out tomorrow. Thanks!!

 

[Northern]

Bumping this back up for more eyes! I also volunteer with this group, and it really is hard to find shore - accessible stillwater in the Puget Sound area.

Even a farm pond with a bunch of sunfish/perch would be great!

Thanks for any suggestions, y'all!

 

[Stonedfish]

Bumping this back up for more eyes! I also volunteer with this group, and it really is hard to find shore - accessible stillwater in the Puget Sound area.

Even a farm pond with a bunch of sunfish/perch would be great!

Thanks for any suggestions, y'all!

Would Gissberg Twin Ponds in Arlington work?
Restrooms, close to I-5 and restaurants.
The north pond is juvenile only. The west end is pretty open on the north pond if I remember correctly.
SF

Gissberg Twin Lakes

Gissberg Twin Lakes

snohomishcountywa.gov

Gissburg Ponds (North)

This excellent fishing opportunity for both adults and children seeking to fish before or after work or for famililes interested in picknicking for a few hours. Fishing opportunities include stocked Rainbow Trout and Channel Catfish, and small resident Largemouth Bass and Pumpkinseed Sunfish.

wdfw.wa.gov

 

[Northern]

Would Gissberg Twin Ponds in Arlington work?
Restrooms, close to I-5 and restaurants.
The north pond is juvenile only. The west end is pretty open on the north pond if I remember correctly.
SF

Gissberg Twin Lakes

Gissberg Twin Lakes

snohomishcountywa.gov

Gissburg Ponds (North)

This excellent fishing opportunity for both adults and children seeking to fish before or after work or for famililes interested in picknicking for a few hours. Fishing opportunities include stocked Rainbow Trout and Channel Catfish, and small resident Largemouth Bass and Pumpkinseed Sunfish.

wdfw.wa.gov

Thanks for the suggestion @Stonedfish .
Gissberg would be a pretty good option, except it's always been packed on summer weekends when I've seen it. Which can be a little problematic with 5-10 newbie fly casters.
It might work if we have a smaller group sometime, though. Thanks!

 

[JACKspASS]

Reiter Ponds

 

[FishingGirl]

Would Gissberg Twin Ponds in Arlington work?
Restrooms, close to I-5 and restaurants.
The north pond is juvenile only. The west end is pretty open on the north pond if I remember correctly.
SF

Gissberg Twin Lakes

Gissberg Twin Lakes

snohomishcountywa.gov

Gissburg Ponds (North)

This excellent fishing opportunity for both adults and children seeking to fish before or after work or for famililes interested in picknicking for a few hours. Fishing opportunities include stocked Rainbow Trout and Channel Catfish, and small resident Largemouth Bass and Pumpkinseed Sunfish.

wdfw.wa.gov

I will go take another look to see if there is back casting room. We went and checked out Trophy Lake and Golf today and it looks like it will work for what we need. Unfortunately, they have not stocked the ponds since COVID and there are no fish! If they stock this spring we can definitely take the kids.

 

[Bruce Baker]

@FishingGirl would one of the Vance Creek Ponds work in Grays Harbor Co.? Or is that too far?

Vance Creek Pond 1 (Bowers Lake)

"Bowers Lake" also called Vance Creek Pond # 1 (the first pond on the north side of Wenzel Slough road just east of Lake Inez) is open only to juveniles, seniors, and holders of disability and a reduced-fee license or designated harvester cards. This lake is stocked multiple times annually with...

wdfw.wa.gov

Vance Creek Pond 2 (Inez Lake), Grays Harbor County Fishing

Fishing Information for Vance Creek Pond 2 (Inez Lake) - Vance Creek Pond 2 (Inez Lake) provides excellent opportunities for rainbow trout.

www.washingtonfishinglakes.com

 

[FishingGirl]

@FishingGirl would one of the Vance Creek Ponds work in Grays Harbor Co.? Or is that too far?

Vance Creek Pond 1 (Bowers Lake)

"Bowers Lake" also called Vance Creek Pond # 1 (the first pond on the north side of Wenzel Slough road just east of Lake Inez) is open only to juveniles, seniors, and holders of disability and a reduced-fee license or designated harvester cards. This lake is stocked multiple times annually with...

wdfw.wa.gov

Vance Creek Pond 2 (Inez Lake), Grays Harbor County Fishing

Fishing Information for Vance Creek Pond 2 (Inez Lake) - Vance Creek Pond 2 (Inez Lake) provides excellent opportunities for rainbow trout.

www.washingtonfishinglakes.com

That is a bit too far for us but I will definitely keep it in mind. Thank you.

 

[RCF]

I would like to give a shout-out to @Northern and @FishingGirl for their volunteering with The Mayfly Project. This is for a couple of reasons...

They share their time and expertise with kids that are less fortunate and need an anchor/base to grow from. When kids are young and discover something that they truly enjoy, fishing, it provides a foundation to grow from. I have fished with both of these ladies a couple of times, more to come, and they run circles around me in fly fishing, fly casting and catching. And to share that with those so deserving is purely out of their own hearts and is purist type of true giving.

One of my best fishing buddies daughters went through their program. Our family has had their family over for more than 20 years. Steve, my buddy, loves to fish. We always go out and catch fish. We took out his daughter for the first time a couple of years back. She was beaming from ear to ear in her new boots, waders, and new rod and reel. Within a few minutes she had a nice fish one on. She brought it in all by herself. Only thing we reminded her was to keep the tip up. She landed a 20"+ trout all by herself. Very well taught for sure!

As some of you know our daughters have been adopted. We get our adoption group together every year at our place. When the girls were old enough I took them out fishing. Caught some fish. Then was lunch time. We went in. After lunch asked if anyone wanted to go back out. Vivian was the only one. Out we went and she caught a number of fish. About a week later I got a handwritten note from her. What 9 year-old writes a thank you note? It was her first time fishing. It was signed:

I like tugs
Vivian

The positive impact we can make on others should be taken whenever we can. These ladies do for sure! They also protect locations and information like no else. So I encourage you to provide some help knowing it will always remain in strict confidence. Plus knowing you are making a difference warms the heart and soul.

Please help them if you can

RCF

 

[FishingGirl]

It just so happens that I will be in Elma this weekend so I will go check out Vance Creek Ponds!

 

[Anyfish]

There is a kids only pond/lake in lacey at the lacey community center. Sorry, I don't recall the name. But it is part of city of lacey parks. It may also work.

 

[FishingGirl]

I have contacted WDFW in the past about using a "kids-only" pond for our group but since at least one of the kids is over 16, I am not allowed to use it. All of the kids must be under 16 and that is not always the case with our groups. I do love all of your suggestions though! They could come in handy one day!

 

[Anyfish]

How far south are you willing to travel? Is exit 95 to far south?