Staff report

More than 50 children enjoyed a wonderful day of fishing in the beautiful setting of Sleepy Hole Park at the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department’s recent Youth Fishing Day.

The event gave children, who would not otherwise be exposed to the exciting sport of fishing, a chance to learn to bait a hook, cast a rod, and most importantly, catch a fish.

Staff and volunteers from the Suffolk Parks and Recreation, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Department of Inland Game and Fisheries, and Izaak Walton League of America were on hand to teach the children the basics of fishing and to identify the different species of fish caught.

Dashiell’s Half-Round Showroom donated 15 dozen night crawlers for the event. Rods and reels were supplied by the Great Dismal Swamp and Department of Game

and Inland Fisheries; and Hooked on Fishing International provided several items to be given out as &uot;door prizes.&uot;

The day got very exciting when one child reeled in an eel. Bryan Poovey, Forester for the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, attempted to hold the eel still and allow the children to touch it.

Marine Biologist, Chip Long, from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries said the eel made its way into the lake through a connection to the Nansemond River.

&uot;Overall the event was a huge success and next year we hope to see twice as may children,&uot; said Mark Furlo, Recreation Specialist from Suffolk Parks and Recreation.