Marsha Hart, Environmental Education/Outreach Specialist at Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery was the guest speaker at the Louisville Chapter of Trout Unlimited zoom meeting on January 25, 2022. Wolf Creek has partnered with the chapter in various ways, including the Trout in the Classroom program, Reel Recovery retreats, and special events like Earth Day where members teach fly tying and casting techniques. Mike Lubeach, president of the Louisville Chapter invited Marsha to discuss Wolf Creek’s plans for the upcoming year.
The meeting began with an informative lesson about tying a Mayer's Mini Leech Jig from Mike Martinez with the Bluegrass Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Mike Lubeach then turned the meeting over to Marsha, who gave an overview of the Hatchery, informing participants that the hatchery raises nearly 1,000,000 trout each year to stock in 125 public fishing waters across the commonwealth. An interactive stocking map from Wolf Creek’s story map was shared, as well as a presentation including video of moving trout in eggs, and endangered Barrens Topminnows being released back into the wild, all highlighting the work that takes place at Wolf Creek.
Ongoing events/opportunities at the hatchery were also presented. These included the Interactive Visitor/Environmental Education Center, visitation of the hatchery building and raceways to observe the life cycle of trout, fishing at Hatchery Creek, nature trail walks, school/group tours, Environmental Education opportunities, special summer programming, the Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery’s amazing gift shop, endangered species propagation work, and the Trout in the Classroom Program.
In addition, event planning for 2022 was discussed. Wolf Creek hopes to resume many of the events that were held annually pre-Covid including Outdoor Eco Day, Earth Day Event, Catch-A-Rainbow Kids Fishing Derby, Wounded Warrior fishing event, Catch-A-Smile Senior Fishing Event, Reaching For Rainbows Special Needs Kids Fishing Derby, and professional development workshops. The 2nd Saturday Fly Fishing Clinic is held monthly at the hatchery, as well as the monthly Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. The Louisville Trout Unlimited members were encouraged to visit, volunteer, participate and keep up with the hatchery through Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WolfCreekNFH or by calling the hatchery at any time.
