06-19-2003, 11:07 PM
[center][size 5]Parks and Recreation[/size][/center]
[center][size 4]The Fish Are Biting In Farmington[/size]![[Image: fishfam.jpg]](http://www.ci.farmington.mi.us/images/fishfam.jpg)
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[font "Verdana"][size 3]A[/size] cooperative effort between Farmington and Farmington Hills - the Annual Shiawassee Park Fishing Derby - is held each year on the day trout season opens. Hundreds of children, along with their parents, fill Farmington's Shiawassee Park and fish the River Rouge.[/font]
[font "Verdana"]Creating a fishing experience right in town was no easy venture. Officials from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Oakland County Health Department are called in each year to test water quality. In the last two years, the stretch of the Rouge River has been so clean, the DNR has certified the Derby as a "catch and keep" program.[/font]
[font "Verdana"]![[Image: japfish.jpg]](http://www.ci.farmington.mi.us/images/japfish.jpg)
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[font "Verdana"]It is great fun to watch the reaction of the kids as they pulled the fish out of the river. "The kids are usually lined-up elbow to elbow along the bank," says one Fishing Derby official. "I remember last year, when someone hollered, 'I got one,' and everyone pitched in to help net the fish. It is a whole lot of fun."[/font]
[font "Verdana"]Trout live in pretty places, and the City of Farmington has the good fortune of having a beautiful park and a clean river as well.[/font]
[font "Verdana"]About 70 percent of the fish (out of about 250 released each year) are caught. Some people bring fancy poles and tackle, while others simply use sticks with string. It doesn't matter. The fish are always biting and everyone has fun, "Just sitting on the riverbank and fishing with their kids," as one Farmington City Council person said.[/font]
[font "Verdana"]Of their Fishing Derby experience, many people said they seldom had the chance to fish for trout. And, some said they caught BIGGER trout here than up in northern Michigan. (A fish story?) Regardless, we're looking forward to another blue-sky Fishing Derby for next year - and you're invited![/font]
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[center][size 4]The Fish Are Biting In Farmington[/size]
[/center] [font "Verdana"][size 3]A[/size] cooperative effort between Farmington and Farmington Hills - the Annual Shiawassee Park Fishing Derby - is held each year on the day trout season opens. Hundreds of children, along with their parents, fill Farmington's Shiawassee Park and fish the River Rouge.[/font]
[font "Verdana"]Creating a fishing experience right in town was no easy venture. Officials from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Oakland County Health Department are called in each year to test water quality. In the last two years, the stretch of the Rouge River has been so clean, the DNR has certified the Derby as a "catch and keep" program.[/font]
[font "Verdana"]
[/font] [font "Verdana"]It is great fun to watch the reaction of the kids as they pulled the fish out of the river. "The kids are usually lined-up elbow to elbow along the bank," says one Fishing Derby official. "I remember last year, when someone hollered, 'I got one,' and everyone pitched in to help net the fish. It is a whole lot of fun."[/font]
[font "Verdana"]Trout live in pretty places, and the City of Farmington has the good fortune of having a beautiful park and a clean river as well.[/font]
[font "Verdana"]About 70 percent of the fish (out of about 250 released each year) are caught. Some people bring fancy poles and tackle, while others simply use sticks with string. It doesn't matter. The fish are always biting and everyone has fun, "Just sitting on the riverbank and fishing with their kids," as one Farmington City Council person said.[/font]
[font "Verdana"]Of their Fishing Derby experience, many people said they seldom had the chance to fish for trout. And, some said they caught BIGGER trout here than up in northern Michigan. (A fish story?) Regardless, we're looking forward to another blue-sky Fishing Derby for next year - and you're invited![/font]
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