Families get on the water for Fishing Day

Dozens of families made their way to Twin Lakes on Saturday, June 2, for Family Fishing Day.

Coordinated by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the U.S. Forest Service, Juneau Rotary clubs and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary all come together to put on different parts of the event.

ADF&G Sport Fish Division provides all the rods, reels, bait and gear, according to Assistant Area Managing Biologist Dan Teske.

He said approximately 10,000 king salmon were released into Twin Lakes in anticipation of the annual event.

“It’s a great way to get people out,” Teske said.

Megan Keeler brought her 2-year-old son, Silas, to the event.

“Silas has never been fishing, and I asked him if he wanted to go fishing and literally for the last week, every single morning he’s said ‘are we going fishing today,’ ” Keeler said.

Matthew Thompson, who works with the Forest Service, spent the morning helping people use the rowboats.

“We have a bunch of rowboats available so the kids can go out and try to catch the king that have been stocked,” Thompson said. “It gives them a chance to get out on the lake and do a little fishing and get the life vests and get safety on their mind.”

Rick Saulnier’s daughter Cloe found success at the event. Cloe caught three fish in her first half hour on the dock.

“I love fishing,” she said.

Saulnier said she learned to fish a couple years ago.

“It’s family fishing day and we like fishing and she loves eating it. We look forward to spending time together,” Saulnier said.

Vince Cheng brought his sons Gabe, 7, and Sam, 6, both avid fisherman, said their dad. The boys reeled in several fish, including one that became a team effort when their lines got tangled.

A number of families gathered on the dock, where parents and grandparents were guiding children’s fishing efforts. Each successful attempt was signaled by the excited kids shrieking and laughing.

Cheyenne Herline, 5, jumped up and down on the dock as she held her first fish of the day.

“That was so cool. I caught one,” Cheyenne said. Grandmother Angela Binckley said it was Cheyenne’s first fishing experience.

She released the fish then cast her reel again, determined to catch a bigger one.

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