Bristol Area DARE Campers Go Fishing For Fun

ABINGDON, Va. – Kaylin Pete shrieked with a sense of wonder and excitement as she struggled to reel in her slippery prize.

Within a matter of moments, the 12-year-old Virginia Middle School student had grasped the basic technique of baiting her hook, casting her line and stringing her catch.
It was challenging, tiring and, above all, exciting.

Pete was among the participants in the annual DARE Summer Camp conducted by the Bristol Va. Sherriff’s Office. DARE stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education.

According to deputy Greg Vincill, 48 kids from Bristol, Va., are currently involved in the multi-faceted program. The adventuresome outings have ranged from bowling and golfing to horseback riding and caving.
Judging from the animated reactions, Tuesday’s experience at Red Dog Trout Pond was memorable for the campers and adults.

Kemery Street owns the quarter-acre pond with his wife, Lisa Andis.

“I love watching these kids, and it tickles me to death to see them catch something,” said Street, who began fishing at age three.

To prepare for their latest expedition, the campers received lessons in water safety and fishing regulations from a game warden.

According to Vincill, the trip was a much-need taste of real life. No splashy computer simulation needed. This was real recreation.

“We’re blessed to live in an area with many recreational opportunities,” Vincill said. “We take our surroundings for granted sometimes, but some of these kids had never been fishing before today.”

Macie Frazier, a 12-year-old student at St. Anne’s Catholic School, spent part of Tuesday encouraging and congratulating her apprehensive peers.

“I’ve been fishing with my father before, but I only caught bluegill,” Frazier said. “You have to be strong to bring in a trout, carp or bass.”

Each camper was allowed to catch five trout. Frazier reached her limit with ease.

“Since I haven’t really fished a lot, I don’t really know the techniques yet,” said Frazier, as she attempted to remove the hook from one of her trout. “This is kind of messy, but it’s really fun.”

Fishy business

The Red Dog Trout pond was originally built and owned by Kemery Street’s late father, Leon.
Kemery Street decided to take his grandfather’s hobby to a new level last October when he purchased approximately 2,000 rainbow trout. The family pond is now full of hungry and colorful rainbows, most of which weight one and one half to two pounds.

After obtaining the proper permits, Street and Andis opened a new portal to adventure for children in the region. The cost for catching trout is $4 per pound, with no limit.

Andis took time from her position as a summer school instructor at Abingdon High School to observe and assists the DARE campers Tuesday. Andis teaches biology during the regular school year at AHS.

“The greatest joy is seeing the children catch their first fish,” Andis said. “A lot of kids never have the opportunity to get out and fish, and it’s excellent that the DARE program can have a program like this.”

Since opening in early April, Andis and her husband sold over 400 trout. Students from the DARE program have made four trips.

“Many people have told us that our trout are an excellent size for eating, and that they taste great,” Andis said. 
While Frazier savored her camp experience, she wasn’t sure about actually tasting her bounty.

“I’ll have to call my father and ask if he wants to eat them because I know my mom wouldn’t want to clean the fish, and I probably wouldn’t want to clean them either,” Frazier said.

Passing the torch

Vincill, the DARE instructor, appeared to having as much fun as his campers Tuesday.

“I grew up hunting, fishing and just being outdoors with my grandfather and father,” Vincill said. “Those are the some of the best memories you will ever have.
“You don’t always remember what fish you caught, but you remember spending time with your family.”

Vincill’s eight-year-old daughter, Abigail, accompanied her father to the trout pond Tuesday.

“I’ve fished at a park, a lake and on the ocean,” Abigail Vincill said. “I want to go fishing again.”

The DARE program is free to all kids entering the seventh grade. The Bristol Va. program includes students from Virginia Middle School, St. Anne’s and Sullins Academy.
Officer Vincill hopes the dividends from the fishing trip will pay off for years to come.

“This is a great way for kids to interact and learn together,” Vincill said. “Helping kids to be active is the main thing. We hope they will continue to fish.”

Before returning to their classroom setting at Virginia High School, Pete and her friends took time to assign names to each trout they had caught.

“I had never been fishing before or watched it on TV,” Pete said. “I expected that the fish would be small, but they are like huge. I’ll probably go fishing again.”

|(276) 645-2544

What: Red Dog Trout Pond

Where: Porterfield Highway, Abingdon, Va.

Contact: (276) 739- 7778 or (276) 676-3722

Notes: To fish the pond, call for an appointment. No fishing license is required. Bait and fishing poles are available on-site.