Children and others with special needs enjoyed free fishing Wednesday at Gigliotti Pond in Helper. Members of several local businesses and organizations supported the fishing day. Volunteers in green pants could be seen assisting in baiting and casting fishing lures all around the pond.
The pond was well stocked with vigorous fish. Most anglers caught more than one at the event.
Volunteers from the Bureau of Land Management, Forest service, Department of Natural Resources and other local organizations helped with the event. Contributing organizations included Castle Valley Center, Four Corners Behavior Center, Active Re-Entry, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Southeastern Region, Emery County Recreation, Helper City, Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, Bureau of Land Management, Price Office, Waste & Water Logistics and Helper Fire and Rescue. Smokey the Bear was also in attendance.
The DNR provided tackle and fishing poles while the Forest Service’s Pamela Jewkes organized the event.
“I have a whole group of local organizations that help out,” she said. “We’ve been doing this for seven years.”
Helper City provided ambulance services and Wal-Mart provided tackle boxes for prizes. Waste & Water Logistics even provided large porta potties. For those who wanted to eat their fish, volunteers gutted and bagged the fish, taking the messy part out of fishing for the anglers.
