Cops & bobbers: D.A.R.E. program has grand fin-ale

They were not, by any stretch of the imagination, your typical group graduation presents. Instead of T-shirts, coupons for a double burger or a free dessert with the purchase of any meal, Murray police offered fish — big ones, little ones, some with whiskers, some without.

Recipients had the option of either keeping their catches or releasing them for a chance at a re-catch.

Earlier this month, officers of Murray joined with volunteers at Murray's Willow Pond to hold what was appropriately called "Cops and Bobbers."

It was intended, said Norah Beech, the officer in charge of Murray's D.A.R.E. program, as a reward for fifth-grade students in the Murray School District who took, passed and graduated from its 10-week program.

It is but one of several youth fishing programs that will be held this summer.

It was made possible because of an initiative taken by Murray back in 2001 to build a park with a pond intended to hold fish that could be caught and kept. Since its opening in 2002, Willow Pond has become one of Utah's most popular fishing spots.

"On average, you can expect to find anywhere from 100 to 150 people fishing around the (4-acre) pond," said Drew Cushing, head of the urban fishing program for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

On this particular Saturday, the pond was reserved for Murray students, officers and volunteers. Planted in the pond were a variety of fish, ranging from rainbow trout to bass to large catfish.

The catch on this day was mainly catfish. The closing of the DWR's Springville Fish Hatchery a few weeks back, a result of whirling disease, has limited the number of trout that can be placed in urban ponds.

For the kids, said Beech, species didn't matter.

"Many had never been fishing before. Many had never caught a fish, so they were excited just to be there and even more excited when they caught a fish, especially one of the larger fish," she added.

Some of the fish caught topped five pounds and were a little more than half the size of their catcher.

Anglers like Mikaela Cary and Shalee Pearson were surprised at the size of the fish and were particularly intrigued by the long whiskers on the big cats.

Conner Sharples had little time to marvel at the fish. He was busy hooking and unhooking fish. He caught seven of the larger cats. Another young angler nearby caught three fish on three casts.