PLAINS – The fourth grade classes at Plains Elementary School gathered up their fishing gear and headed out to the slough east of Plains to test their luck in the waters.

The kids attempted to catch fish, with many professional anglers surfacing in the class.

According to fourth grade teacher Kathee Hojem this is the seventh year the kids headed out for the annual Hooked on Fishing Program.

With the help of FWP worker, Buck Stuckey, the program teaches kids boat safety, water safety and bull trout identification.

Hojem explained the program is focused on steering the kids away from drugs, hooking them “on fishing, not drugs.”

As the kids spread out around the water, they tested their fishing abilities flinging lures into the water as far as they could manage. Other students could be seen carrying nets, preparing themselves to lift any caught fish out of the water.

During their fieldtrip several kids came up with impressive catches, capturing good-sized fish to take home with them.

The fieldtrip marked the last field trip for the fourth graders – giving them a taste of summer as the school year quickly dwindles down to its last days.