Saturday, March 04, 2000
Open season on fish today
Farm-bred trout fill park lakes
BY LEW MOORES
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SYMMES TOWNSHIP — Montie and Ruth Taylor watched in anticipation as rainbow trout were released one netful at a time into Lake Isabella, the lake roiling at the shore as the trout scrambled for deeper water.
The couple were among a small crowd Friday morning at the boathouse at Lake Isabella, witnesses to this year's crop of rainbow trout being stocked in the 28-acre lake.
Today, the boathouse opens for the season at 6 a.m., and the lake will teem with 2,005 pounds of fresh, live rainbow trout, hauled by truck from near Fort Knox, Ky., by Mid west Fish Farm in Loveland.
“They look good,” said one man.
“I'll be here in the morning when they open,” said Mrs. Taylor, of Goshen Township, as she watched the trout — blushed in pale pink, speckled, with silvery green-gray backs — disappear in the water. “They look great.”
Bill McVay, boathouse foreman, expects a crowd this morning for the season opening.
“Some'll get here at 3 in the morning, waiting,” Mr. McVay said. “It'll be a big crowd.”
Each year the Hamilton County Park District stocks some of its lakes in March with farm-raised rainbow trout. Friday, 1,000 pounds was delivered to Miami Whitewater Forest in Crosby Township. That boathouse opens at 7 a.m. today.
Next Saturday, Sharon Woods Lake opens, also stocked with 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout. Miami Whitewater and Sharon Woods require Ohio fishing licenses — $15 and available at most sporting goods retailers. Lake Isabella is a pay lake, and fishing tickets sell for $8.50 a day for adults and $6.50 for children, 13-15, and seniors. Children 12 and under fish free with a paying adult.
Robert Hall, who lives just down the road in Loveland, watched — bundled against the morning chill with a pipe in his mouth — as the trout were unloaded. His mouth watered.
“My wife and I get two or three of those and that's enough for me,” Mr. Hall said. Everyone agreed the fish were a good pound, 11/2 pounds each.
About 1,500 to 1,600 fish were deposited in the lake. Greg Dobbratz netted them from the truck's compartments, then handed off to Midwest owner Dan Jones, who weighed each netful before upending the net into the lake.
“They're real frisky,” said Mr. Jones as the net shook with live fish.
Court upholds clean-air rules
And now, what teachers hate about parents
Presidential primaries are schoolyard fights
Blue Ash Republicans rarin' to vote
Mardi-ers get merry
Mayor wants police chief fired
Firstar Bank takes Van Exel to court
Four-year districting battle over
Guard accessed porn, prosecutors charge
Hotel tax bill is hot potato
Teens solve engineering riddle
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Cammy tickets on sale
GET TO IT
Perick leads CSO in dazzling program
Chamber hears museum plan
City seeks assistant manager
Driver charged with felony after chase
Fairfield Middle School's schedule change adds flexibility
Farmers watch tax battle
Fitness center for Ky. youths will close
Jazz fest goals: Inspiration, fun
Legal Aid says $11M needed for new effort
Liberty Twp. police arrest suspect in slayings
Lighthouse honors five
Ludlow limits police spending
Monroe facing sports what-ifs
Open season on fish today
Ramada Inn pool closed for study
TRISTATE DIGEST
