Library director Penny Johnson acquired a basket of trout eggs in January from Trout Unlimited, hatching and raising them in a 55-gallon tank equipped with a chiller to keep the water at cold, oxygen rich 52 degrees. The aquarium is a major attraction and educational asset for the library.

Kids became invested in the trout’s welfare, giving them names. The trout did quite well this year, resulting in about 148 healthy fingerlings.

Johnson stated that the successful event would not have been possible without the support of many dedicated local community organizations and volunteers.

“It says a lot about our community to be able to put together an event like this,” Johnson said.

PHOTO PROVIDED River Valley Transit Authority driver Darren Kahler releases a trout with driver Daryl Tutler (middle) and compliance officer Brett Kelley in this photo by Hughesville Library director Penny Johnson.

Dayl McClintock, President of the Consolidated Sportsmen of Muncy Creeks, collected the fingerlings, mixing in water from their cooperative trout nursery to acclimate them to their new home, the cool but slightly warmer Laurel Run which was 61 degrees. He transported the fingerlings to the park in an aerated container, distributing them with assistance from Steve Little of the Hughesville High School Fly Fishing Club. Each child was given a cup of water with a fingerling in it that they placed into the creek.

Carey Entz Rine, Watershed Specialist for the Lycoming Conservation District and Trout in the Classroom — or, in this case, Trout in the Library — Coordinator,

seined aquatic insects and animals from the stream, identifying their role in the food chain and how we can protect them by making sure they have clean water.

Many of the youth splashed around in the shallow stream with their own dip nets. One even caught and released a six-inch stream-bred brown trout that was hiding under a stump.

The participants were transported from the library to the park in buses donated by the River Valley Transit Authority. For many, it was their first time on a city bus. Brett Kelley of RVTA commented that they emphasize keeping the buses clean, and run an environmentally responsible service, including switching the buses from diesel fuel to eco-friendly compressed natural gas in 2014.

KEVIN McJUNKIN/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Susquehanna Chapter Trout Unlimited president Steve Martin is shown assisting with a youth fishing game for kids.

Volunteers from the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited brought a Velcro fish pond game, helping youth identify and learn about local species, and gave fly-casting lessons, showing how trout flies imitate mayflies and other aquatic insects that trout feed upon. The Conservation District also provided educational exhibits, including cool animal skulls and exotic pelts.

Library employees and volunteers helped with logistics and organized a kickball game – a fun and healthy alternative to phone scrolling.

The kids and their families enjoyed the outdoors and learned a lot about nature through the Trout in the Library program.

“Hopefully”, said Johnson, “some of the them will become future conservationists, working to protect our natural resources.”

KEVIN McJUNKIN/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Dennis Duza and Walt Nicholson of Susquehanna Chapter Trout Unlimited provide fly-casting instructions for youth anglers.

PHOTO PROVIDED Carey Entz-Rine assists kids with trout fingerling release in this photo by Walt Nicholson.

PHOTO PROVIDED Kids look through material and sort through aquatic bugs and critters in this photo by Hughesville Library director Penny Johnson.

PHOTO PROVIDED Hughesville Library director Penny Johnson and kids raised trout in a cold-water aquarium as shown in this photo by Penny Johnson.