Young anglers catch their chance to fish on youth-only day

BUTTE – First-time anglers and seasoned fishers lined the banks of the Eklutna Tailrace on Saturday during the Youth-Only King Salmon Fishing Day.

The June 20 event reserved a portion of the public use area along the Knik River from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for anglers aged 15 and younger. Parents and family were allowed to be present and assist in fishing, but only youths were able to catch a limit of one king.

This is the second year of the Eklutna Tailrace, an idea that was first proposed by Butch and Jehnifer Ehmann, of Ehmann Outdoors, to the Alaska Board of Fisheries. Once the project was approved, the Ehmanns worked with the Department of Fish and Game, Cabela’s and the Alaska State Troopers to coordinate a successful event.

“It’s a really great atmosphere for kids to learn how to fish for kings in a non-competitive environment,” said Fish and Game biologist Samantha Oslund.

Fish and Game posted signs along the tailrace in the morning before the event started, while the Ehmanns set up and manned a booth all day to offer families any sort of equipment they might need. Cabela’s provided two pro staff members as well as some rods and tackle. The Ehmanns brought their own gear and some bait, in addition to volunteering their time by giving advice to newcomers on how to fish.

“People can show up who have no idea what’s going on and we’ll give them a rod and some bait,” Butch Ehmann said. “We are here for A to Z: what to use, how to cast, what bait to use and just anything else they want to know.”

The youth-only fishery was an excellent way for youths who have never fished before to get engaged in the sport. A number of families came to the event without any experience at all, according to the Ehmanns. As Butch Ehmann was standing on the banks of the tailrace, a young girl approached him in thanks, as he had helped her catch her first fish ever.

“That makes the whole day worthwhile,” he said. “That’s what this whole day is about.”

While some were there to introduce their families to fishing, others used the event simply as a family outing. Nic Macato brought his three kids, Lina, Kevin, and Bell from Anchorage for a day of fishing in the Valley.

“The kids wanted to go out and cast and hopefully catch a fish,” Macato said. “We’ve caught humpies before, but this is their first time out this summer.”

The day was an outstanding success according to the Ehmanns. Families showed up right when the event started, and the Ehmanns expected to be at the tailrace till 6 p.m.

“There have been floods of people coming and going, so I don’t even know how many have been here,” Butch Ehmann said.

In addition to Saturday’s event, the Ehmanns plan to be back at the tailrace later this summer, when they will host another youth-only day for silvers. The pair intends to host the event for years to come.

“It provides a really family-friendly opportunity for everybody to just come out and fish,” Butch Ehmann said. “It will happen every year.”

Contact Kaden Weaver at 352-2270 or kaden.weaver@frontiersman.com