Trout In Classroom Program - Smith River

[al k]

Hundreds,or perhaps thousands of fingerling Brown Trout were released into the Smith River on Thursday, May 24, 2007 by regional elementary students who have been participating in the Trout In the Classroom (TIC) project sponsored by Martinsville Orthodontist Doctor David Jones, Trout Unlimited, The Dan River Basin Association and a few other benefactors. This was the local schools second year with the project and just like last year, it was a resounding success.


More then twenty schools have been supplied with aquariums that come with special "chillers" to maintain the water temperature cool enough for trout. Early in the school year each class with an aquarium is provided with several hundred Brown Trout eggs from one of the VDGIF hatcheries. After careful manipulation of the temperature and the environment the eggs hatch and are nurtured over the course of the school year to fingerling size.


I talked with several students and teachers at the release on Thursday and everyone of them were enthusiastic and said they learned a lot from the program. The teachers talked about combining math, science, environment and civic pride with the rearing of the fish. Students talked about "their fish" and what it was like to come in on a Monday morning and seeing some of "their fish" in trouble. Although every class started with several hundred eggs, some ended up with less then 50 fingerlings. This was certainly a harsh, but important, introduction to the fragile thread of life.

A few schools released their fish earlier in the month and a few will release theirs during the first week in June. Thursday, May 24th was the big release date and was attended by several schools, lots of regional dignitaries and the media.


Doctor Jones (on the left) helps line things up as the students and one of their teachers ready their trout for release into the Smith River.


Everyone gets in the act as the trout make a dash for freedom and a new home.


Doctor Jones gave a stream side interview to several regional media outlets.


The real heroes of the project were the teachers and their students, some of whom are seen here adjusting the water temperature so that the fingerlings will not go into shock when they are transferred from the relative safety of the cooler to their new home, the wide open water of the Smith River.


It goes without saying, this was, and continues to be, a win-win program for all. The teachers are able to use the trout as the focal point of many topics. The students become involved and develop the pride of ownership in "their fish" and the environment> The Smith River, in addition to receiving several hundred fingerlings also receives a lot of favorable press. As my friend and fellow Smith River TU member Dr David Jones is fond of saying, "it is just awesome".