The pond in Vernon鈥檚 Polson Park was loaded with 1,000 rainbow trout Wednesday in preparation for the Kalamalka Fly Fishing Society鈥檚 annual kids鈥� fish-out event, taking place this weekend.

The fish, all about a foot long, were trucked to the pond from the Summerland Trout Hatchery. The Fly Fishing Society has put nets in the Polson pond, dividing the pond into different sections to ensure that fish can be caught anywhere along the pond鈥檚 edge.

It鈥檚 the society鈥檚 biggest event of the year, and they expect between 1,500 and 2,000 people to come out and fish this weekend.

鈥淲hen you see the kids, their eyes light up when they catch a fish,鈥� said Mike Leach, society president. 鈥淭hey are just so happy, and it introduces them to fishing and that鈥檚 what it鈥檚 all about.鈥�

The Fly Fishing Society has about 70 members, and about 60 of them will volunteer their time for the kids鈥� fish-out.

Volunteers drained and cleaned the pond last weekend in preparation for the event.

The event has been run for many years, but this year will be the last time it鈥檚 held in Polson Park, and the society is currently looking at other locations that could be used in future years.

Kids are allowed to catch two fish each, get their picture taken with their fish, have the fish cleaned at a dedicated cleaning station, and then they can take the fish home and cook them.

The kids鈥� fish-out event takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 5.

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