The state Fish and Boat Commission stocked Larry’s Creek in Lycoming County in late April. Fish stocking is typically done by transferring the fish from the stocking truck to the streams in 5-gallon buckets. Stocked fish are most likely to survive when they are transferred from the truck to the creek very quickly. Also, the stocked fish should be cast away from the shore and into the current.

Unfortunately, I believe the Fish and Boat Commission failed at doing both.

While the two fish wardens managed traffic, civilians were left to organize the actual stocking. While adults looked on, small children were given 5-gallon buckets of fish to carry to the creek. The children were so young, in some cases it took two kids to carry one bucket. Older children were able to carry the buckets by themselves, but it was painfully slow. The children did not have boots; they could not walk beyond the creek bank and they could not cast the fish. Consequently the fish were dumped on rocks and in very shallow water.

In one instance, a large, heavy rainbow trout floated 50 yards, belly up, until an observer was able to grab the fish and hold it upright facing into the current. After five or six minutes the fish was revived and swam off.

Children should be taught to fish and taken fishing at a young age and at every opportunity. They should not be involved in stocking fish until they are old enough to do it correctly.

One of the wardens should have ensured that the stocking was done correctly and the fish had the best opportunity to survive. They should have asked for volunteers to manager traffic or taken office personnel.

I hope I never see another performance like this.

WILLIAM LISTER

Jersey Shore