Gone Fishin’ Project – Catch and Eat Trout in a Downtown Toronto Pool

Photo by Tyler Anderson/National Post

For the past six years, staff at Scadding Park Community Centre have drained the pool of its chlorinated water, filled it with freshwater and dumped in 1,000 rainbow trout for a week of fishing.

So instead of taking people to the fish, Scadding Court brings the fish to them. Several school groups stream through each day; the pool is also open to the public after school hours for $8 per person. Two fish are included in the price, but gutting costs an extra 75 ¢.

“These are inner-city children. They haven’t had these experiences,” said Lynn Fraczkowski, a Grade 1 and 2 teacher at Ogden Junior Public School, who has brought classes here for the past three years. “Once the child has had the experience fishing with their classmates, often they’ll get their family to go, so then it’s family time.”

Sean was looking forward to a tasty meal. “I’m gonna eat ‘em,” he said.

The fishing program is part of Scadding Court’s food access program, noted Lee. “We have an extensive community food project,” said Lee, noting the community gardens and kitchen.

Even the Scadding Court Cafe was offering trout on its menu last week for $5 with rice and salad.

Video of Kids Fishing in Pool – Off the Deep End

Find the link for the video here.

See article: The old fishing hole gets urban update
By Mary Vallis, National Post
June 17, 2008

See article: Fishing program baits youngsters
By CARRIE BRUNET
June 28, 2007