The Bellingham Chapter of the Puget Sound Anglers (PSA) has donated $5,000 to two local fish enhancement projects. $2,500 was donated to the Whatcom Creek Fish Hatchery project that is operated by students from the Bellingham Technical College and $2,500 was donated to the Fishtrap Creek Fish Hatchery Project that is operated by students from Lynden Christian High School.

The Bellingham Chapter, along with our main sponsor, Boater’s World, and many other local businesses, raised the proceeds by sponsoring the annual Bellingham Salmon Derby, which is held each July. This event is designed to promote sports fishing and gives fisherman a chance to compete for over $10,000 in prizes. The Bellingham Salmon Derby is part of the Northwest Salmon Derby Series, which is sponsored by the Northwest Marine Trade Association. In 2008 there will be 14 derbies in Washington and Oregon as part of the Derby Series.

The Whatcom Creek Fish Hatchery is operated by the Fisheries Technology program from the Bellingham Technical College. The manager / instructor, Earl Steele, took over the abandoned fish hatchery in 1978 and has raised and released millions of salmon into Whatcom Creek. Earl and his students plan to use the money to buy a new “egg picking machine”. They use their machine at most of the other local hatcheries and they say the one they have is getting worn out. If anyone wants to make a private donation to this program you can contact Earle Steele at 360-752-7000.

The fish hatchery located on Fishtrap Creek in Lynden is operated by the Senior Biology class at Lynden Christian High School. The instructor, Harlan Kredit, has received numerous awards for the progress he has made in restoring the fish runs in Fishtrap Creek, which feeds into the Nooksack River. His most recent award was being named as one of Field and Streams’ 2007 “Heroes of Conservation”. The hatchery releases between 50,000 to 100,000 Coho Salmon per year into the creek. Over the years the hatchery has raised and released over 1.5 million salmon. If anyone wants to make a private donation to this program you can contact Harlan Kredit at 360-354-5373.

The 2008 Bellingham Salmon Derby will be held July 11th, 12th and 13th.

Tickets will be available in May at select locations around Whatcom and Skagit Counties. See our website at www.bellinghampsa.com for more information.

The Puget Sound Anglers (PSA) is a Washington State Organization made up of sports fisherman from around the state. There are currently 17 chapters statewide. The PSA is an organization of independent chapters with the goal of preserving, protecting and enhancing the sport fisheries of Washington State. The PSA is active politically as well as in the community to make sure our grandchildren can enjoy fishing the way we have.

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