The Kenai Peninsula Chapter of Trout Unlimited is set to host its second Fishing and Outdoor Gear Swap this Saturday, May 11th, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Soldotna Creek Park.
According to Dave Atcheson, the chapter’s outreach coordinator, Trout Unlimited is teaming up with the Kenai Watershed Forum to collect donations or items for potential commission.
Last year, the group initially looked for fishing gear, but when someone donated a kayak, they decided to expand the donations to any outdoor-related gear.
“This year, we extended it to outdoor gear of any kind so people could donate or they can or we can sell it, so if they have something that they want to sell, and we’ll take a percentage of the see how much they want for it and then you know, we’ll take on 10% or something or they can just donate it and then we’ll sell it and the money goes to the chapter,” said Atcheson.
Since then, items like kayaks, paddles, rods, sleeping bags, tents, and camp stoves will be eligible for this event.
Not only will the proceeds go towards the chapter’s conservation efforts, but they will also go towards stream watch for stream surveying and rehabilitation, as well as some kind of camps for fly fishing and learning.
“Also, you know, the money goes to a good cause. The chapters doing a kid’s camp, and this is the second year we’ve done a kid’s camp and it is at the middle school. And they do fly tying and make they make their own rod. But they also do a lot of science,” said Atcheson.
Speaking of fly fishing, at 11:30 a.m., there will be an introduction to fly fishing available for those who want to learn about equipment, practice casting, and gain more information.
“We’ll have some rods for people to try out and we’ll kind of go over we’ll have flies that people can look at. We’ll have some different rods we’ll go over, like what type of rods for what type of fish, and then we’ll do a little casting. It’s a lot of fun,” said Atcheson.
For the rest of the day, there will be a picnic and chapter update at 1 p.m., with the event closing at 4:00 p.m.
If you want to coordinate an item drop-off for the event, contact Brandon from the Kenai Watershed Forum at 907-398-4304. For more drop-off opportunities, click here.
