GRAFTON — One of the most popular events of the year at Pere Marquette State Park reeled in hundreds of people as the annual Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair offered hands-on activities for fishing enthusiasts of all ages.
The Family Fishing Fair featured more than 30 activities including a catch and release bluegill pond, a trout pond, a 4,000-gallon aquarium stocked with Illinois River fish, educational and activity booths, and entertainment.
There was a constant swirl of activity at the portable trout pond, where youngsters like six-year-old Lola Vester of Brighton could catch real fish. Lola hooked a medium-sized trout and was thrilled when she got to hold it.
“He’s shiny and squirmy,” Lola said. “I catch fish all the time, but I wanted a big one here.”
Lola’s mother, Chandra, said her daughter has been coming to the Family Fishing Fair since she was three years old.
“She is all about catching fish and she likes the fact that she can walk over and eat it — get it all cooked up and eat it right now,” Chandra said.
Sure enough, a short distance away young anglers could take their freshly-caught trout and within minutes it would be cooked and ready to be eaten as fish nuggets.
“This isn’t the exact same taste, but it is kinda like catfish,” said 11-year-old Scarlett Sharrow of Eldred of her recently-caught meal. “I don’t really go fishing but I like going around to the stations and doing the fun games.”
Scarlett’s mother, Kathy, said this wasn’t the family’s first time at the Fishing Fair.
“We just like the fun family atmosphere and getting to eat fish at no charge,” Kathy said.
Paul Kuebrich of Jerseyville enjoyed watching his six-year-old son Coleman hook a plastic fish at one of the activity areas.
“This is a fun place to go; there are a lot of different activities for the kids to do,” Kuebrich said. “This is good family bonding time for us.”
Eleven-year-old Kalylah Westbrook liked “all of the activities that they have. I especially like the one where you can catch the fish,” she said while admiring the specimens that were off-limits to anglers in the 4,000-gallon aquarium.
The Fishing Fair offered ample opportunity for youngsters to practice their fishing skills or learn new techniques. Ten-year-old Mason Redmond of Bethalto was getting some rod-and-reel time in one activity area.
“You have to reel it in with your right hand and your left hand has to be above the reel.” Redmond said. “I usually fish for catfish but I’d really like to catch a shark.”
Ten-year-old Kyzer Kitzmiller from DeSoto, Missouri was casting like a pro.
“Just push the button and throw it, but before you want to throw it you have to let the button go,” Kitzmiller advised an interested bystander. “Then you turn the crank to bring it back in.”
Kitzmiller isn’t picky about the type of fish he pursues.
“I fish for anything I can catch,” Kitzmiller said.
The Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair was hosted by Pere Marquette State Park, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and co-sponsored by Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, which is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.