Serene sylvan beauty, a glassy lake, few to no clouds in the sky — what more could a family want for a fishing adventure?
And that was exactly the scenario at Panhandle Lake 4-H Camp on June 4 where the annual kids fishing derby was held. Along the floating dock bobbing atop the lake at the bottom of the hill stood angler after angler, casting a hopeful line into the clear water below beckoning the trout.
Some 600 trout were planted by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Fish and Wildlife staff, to the chagrin of the trout but the advantage of the children, netted the fish within the docks. Casting the line almost guaranteed a nibble.
Most of the fish being pulled from the water were about 10-12 inches, but lurking in the waters, tails swaying back and forth, yielding to no other salmonid, were a handful of 5-pound monsters.
It was smiles all around, save for the few children too grossed out by the slimy, stinky fish and the squirmy night crawlers.
At the top of the hill above the lake at the lodge, music played — bluegrass, folk, Americana. Tables were set out with sticky rolls, both orange and frosted cinnamon. The treats were baked by Panhandle 4-H Association board president Linda Howarth. At a table, camp representatives sold raffle tickets, good for outdoor equipment.
It was the event’s third year, but it doesn’t rake in the dough, earning only $100 this past weekend. But that’s fine, organizers say — the camp is a working tree farm and a rental facility, which is how it makes most of its revenue. In fact, it’s the only 4-H camp with it’s own tree farm, according to camp general manager Jon Epstein.
“Panhandle Camp is not just a summer camp — it’s more like a fairgrounds or a rental facility,” Epstein explained. “We rent year round to all kinds of groups and things.”
Schools and churchgroups are two of their biggest user groups.
The derby is more about connecting.
“It’s a public activity to thank the public and to get people out to see our facility,” Epstein said.
Back at the lake, walking along the dock were Billy Townsend, 10, of Oakville and his grandpa Ray Graham of Olympia (formerly of Oakville).
Townsend has been doing 4-H camp for 2 years. It was his first year at the fishing derby.
“It’s fun and messy,” Townsend said. “Very, very messy.”
He says he enjoys his time in 4-H where he and his peers connect with the environment and fish and swim. Townsend currently is making a quilt through 4-H.
Grandpa helped Townsend unhook fish and coached him through the interview with The Vidette. Grandpa is no stranger to 4-H.
“I’ve been involved in 4-H since I was 9 years old — I’m now 62,” Graham said. “I first got involved in Panhandle in 1973 and I’ve been out here ever since.”
Graham says it’s nice to come back to the lake.
“Its cool. All the campfire stories — it’s nostalgia when you’re 62,” he said. “It’s good to see the camp holding together.”
Partners of the event included Fish and Wildlife, Dennis Company and Verle’s Sports Center &Marine of Shelton.
(Corey Morris | The Vidette) Ray Graham of Olympia and his grandson Billy Townsend, 10, of Oakville inspect a catch during the annual kids fishing derby on June 4 at Panhandle Lake 4-H Camp.
(Corey Morris | The Vidette) Kaileigh Smith, 4, of Shelton walks her day’s catch from the dock to the cleaning station during the annual kids fishing derby on June 4 at Panhandle Lake 4-H Camp.
