Savenac kids fishing day a delight

SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 10 months AGO

Keegan Wilcox had quite the reaction after her dad, Zach, reeled in a rainbow trout she hooked during the Kids Fishing Day June 13 at Savenac Pond in Haugan. (Scott Shindledecker/Mineral independent)

William May and Hollie May try their luck at Kids Fishing Day June 13 at Savenac Pond in Haugan. (Scott Shindledecker/Mineral Independent)

Jesse Mulalley, left, and his daughter Adalyn, celebrate after she caught a rainbow trout at the Kid's Fishing Day June 13 at Savenac Pond in Haugan. (Scott Shindledecker/Mineral Independent)

Hunter Reynolds, of St. Regis, shows off the rainbow trout he caught while fishing with his dad, Brian, June 13 at Kids Fishing Day at Savenac Pond in Haugan. (Scott Shindledecker/Mineral Independent)

U.S. Forest Service fisheries biologist Josh Schulze, right, gives Ryan May a few pointers about fly casting at the Kids Fishing Day June 13 at Savenac Pond in Haugan. (Scott Shindledecker/Mineral Independent)

Strong winds and threatening skies did little to dampen anyone’s enthusiasm at the kids fishing day last Saturday at Savenac Pond in Haugan.

If anyone, the turn in weather turned on the rainbow trout as young anglers started reeling in the fish.

Five-year-old Adalyn Mulalley caught her first fish while fishing wit her dad, Jesse. She was truly delighted and it was a bright spot for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mulalley family has roots in Mineral County, but now lives in Arlington, Virginia.

“We came back home because of the COVID shutdown,” Jesse said.

The event, sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service, Lolo National Forest and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and hosted by local non-profitt group Friends of Savenac, was the idea of Jon Hanson, a former fisheries biologist with the two government agencies.

The first one was held in 2013 at Savenac Pond.

“Jon started it and it’s an effort to get kids and their families outside enjoying the outdoors and our national forests,” said Carole Johnson, a Superior District Ranger with the Forest Service.

Johnson said the rods, reels and other tackle were donated by the Forest Service’s Washington office. Young anglers got to take home the rods and reels.

In the past, Sportsman Warehouse and Cabela’s have donated rods and reels. COVID concerns prevented it this year.

Friends of Savenac provided lunch, including hot dogs, soda and snacks. The group is involved in several local events, including maintaining the Forest Service’s Savenac Historic Tree Nursery Visitor Center.

Josh Schulze, a fisheries biologist with the Forest Service, taught young and older anglers how to cast and the habits of fish. Heather Berman, a recreation trails manager for the Forest Service, helped supervise the day’s events.

Zach and Keegan Wilcox of Missoula made the drive north and enjoyed the day.

When Keegan hooked a trout, she handed the rod to dad who reeled it in. As Zach brought the fish out of the water, Keegan jumped behind her dad, scared at first.

It brought a great deal of laughter to everyone.

William May and Hollie May try their luck at Kids Fishing Day June 13 at Savenac Pond in Haugan. (Scott Shindledecker/Mineral Independent)

Jesse Mulalley, left, and his daughter Adalyn, celebrate after she caught a rainbow trout at the Kid's Fishing Day June 13 at Savenac Pond in Haugan. (Scott Shindledecker/Mineral Independent)