Trout in the Classroom
Tulare and Kings Counties

Sponsored by Kaweah Fly Fishers

	About the program volunteers
	Videos: Setting up tank, installing eggs
	Videos: Fly Tying
	Printable aquatic insect pictures and keys
	Trout release field trips

Trout in the Classroom is a nationwide program sponsored variously by Trout Unlimited (a private conservation organization) and state Fish and Game Departments. Its purpose is to teach children about the ecology and environment necessary to raise trout and salmon in our lakes, rivers, and streams.

Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is an environmental education program in which students in grades k-12 . . .

	Raise trout from eggs to fry.
	Monitor tank water quality.
	Engage in stream habitat study.
	Learn to appreciate water resources.
	Begin to foster a conservation ethic.
	Grow to understand ecosystems.

The following web sites have more information and lesson plans:

	http://www.troutintheclassroom.org/home
	http://www.dfg.ca.gov/education/
	http://www.streamexplorers.org/fish-facts/trout-life-cycle

In Tulare and Kings Counties, the program is administered by the California Department of Fish and Game  Education office in Fresno, funded by part of license fees, and the volunteers of Kaweah Flyfishers.

Volunteers:

1. Deliver fertilized Rainbow Trout eggs - in September for the fall cycle and in February for the spring cycle.

   1. Click here for Egg Delivery Guidelines for Volunteers.

2. Deliver curriculum kits to the classes.

3. Provide class visits when possible - a one-hour session on aquatic insects and with fly tying demonstrations.

4. Provide education at the field trip/trout release site.  Click here for a description of the field trip/trout release schedules.

Tulare/Kings County Instructional videos for Trout in the Classroom

	Setting up a tank
	Installing Eggs 1 - Demonstration
	Installing Eggs 2 - With 6th graders
	Making a Rocket Book (notebook for recording data)

The Way of a Trout video - this is a great introduction to the life cycle of trout and to fly fishing.

Fly Tying videos with Don Lieb

	Introduction to the tools  26 sec.
	Tying a Caddis Larva  3 min. 35 sec.
	Tying a Cadis Adult  5 min. 12 sec.
	Tying a Mayfly Larva 5 min. 49 sec.
	Tying a Mayfly Adult  7 min. 20 sec.
	Tying a Carpenter Ant  3 min. 30 sec.

Aquatic insects and insect keys

	Pictures of insects (simplified - only includes Caddis, Stonefly, and Mayfly)
	Insect key simplified (only includes Caddis, Stonefly, and Mayfly)
	Insect key (includes Damsel flies, Dragon flies, and the above.)

Trout release field trips

Schedules for Kaweah Flyfisher volunteer field trips (usually on the Kings and Kaweah rivers Sample schedules Directions to Choinumni Park on the Kings River: Choinumni Park is a beautiful place to release your fish. It is out in the country, yet has picnic tables and room for kids to explore. Directions to Choinumni Park from Visalia. 1 hr. 20 min. Take Plaza Dr / Road 80 /Alta Ave ~ 21 miles through Dinuba Turn left onto E Adams Ave  for 3.0 mi Turn right onto S Frankwood Ave and go 8.8 mi Turn right onto N Piedra Rd drive 8.2 miles to where Piedra Road intersects with Trimmer Springs Road. Turn right on Trimmer Springs Road and drive one mile to Pine Flat Road.  Turn right on Pine Flat Road and go about 100 yards to the entrance of Choinumni Park on the right. Pictures from field trips at Choinumni Park

Schedule for field trips at River Ridge Ranch, taught by River Ridge, Sequoia Riverlands Trust, and Wildplaces volunteers and employees. Directions to River Ridge: Go east on Highway 190 through Springville Turn Left at the white barn onto Balch Park Road Go 1.6 miles. Driveway is on right just after the school bus parking sign.

Questions? Comments? email George Pilling or call 559-901-6676