Young anglers are going to be happy this summer. The Homesteader Park fishing pond, affectionately known as the "cement pond" for those who remember the Beverly Hillbillies, has been stocked with feisty trout in preparation for the annual Kids' Fishing Day.

Planned for June 6, Powell-area children will be the first to wet their lines in the pond stocked by Beartooth Hatchery with tiger and brook trout. After the event, anyone can come try their luck at the pond from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. according to Parks Department Supervisor Tim Miller.

The event has been bringing families together to make lifetime memories for decades, with grandparents now bringing their kids to the same event they attended as a kiddo.

"It's a big tradition. We've had so many families come through the program," said Rec Department Director Colby Stenerson. "I believe grandkids are now coming through in our 40th year."

Forty years is a wonderful tradition for the enjoyment of Powell families.

Stenerson both manages the event and also has wonderful memories of bringing his own kids to the event.

"I still have a photo from back then in my office," he said, extolling the memories they made as a family.

Last year the event drew in more than 175 kids. And they will get to fish (a limit of four per child during the event). But, like everything, the price to host the event is going up and fish orders are being adjusted to meet the budget.

During the Powell City Council's May 4 budget work session, City Parks Superintendent Tim Miller said prices have increased to a "little over $10 a fish right now." Miller cut this year's order from 600 to 500 fish, "and next year I might have to cut them back more," he said, "just because the prices keep going up."

The department starts the season with farm-raised fish from a private vendor. The Beartooth Hatchery, located between Powell and Cody near the Corbett Bridge is the largest in the area. The hatchery services clients around the country.

"So we have people that want us to send them cutthroats; 20,000 of them. Yeah, and we have a guy in Minnesota trying to get us to send him a couple thousand," said Beartooth Fish Wrangler Alan Dallman.

They have delivered fish by truck to destinations over 1,000 miles away, but they also use shipping companies to send fish through the mail. A large cooler, an oxygen source and overnight shipping makes shipping their product anywhere available overnight from Park County. The mostly word-of-mouth advertising plan is more than enough to keep the orders rolling in.

"I don't have to advertise this. This company is self-sufficient," Owner Cole Dallman said. "I have guys calling from New Mexico, Minnesota and Virginia."

Big draw

One of the big draws for Kids' Fishing Day are the plethora of fabulous fishing-themed raffles available free to children through the Rec Department's large prize pool. Last year alone the staff awarded over 100 fishing poles and countless other prizes. The funding for the prizes is being donated by the Wyoming Outdoorsmen, an organizational force founded to support Wyoming’s wildlife, sportsmen and conservationists with a mission to educate and mentor Wyoming’s next generation of responsible hunters, fishermen and trappers.

Also coming to the event this year will be the local chapter of Walleye Unlimited. Stenerson said they plan to bring a walleye fishing boat for children to explore, as well as more prizes.

New this year is the fountain with working colorful lights for after dark enjoyment. Miller said anglers broke the last one by snagging both the lights and the fountain and yanking on them to get their lures loose.

Sign up

The event is not a free-for-all. Instead, families must reserve a one-hour time slot in advance of June 6. To reserve a time, call the Rec Department at 307-754-5711.

(CJ Baker contributed to this report)