Registration open for Merwin Special Kids fishing day

ARIEL — Advance registration is open for the 18th annual Merwin Special Kids Day, a morning of trout fishing for children with disabilities at Merwin Hatchery on the North Fork of the Lewis River.

The event will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 9 at the hatchery. Sponsors ask that participants be registered by June 30 by calling 1-800-899-4421.

More than 100 young people and their families are expected at the event, sponsored by PacifiCorp and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

State fisheries officials will plant the wheelchair-accessible hatchery waters with up to 3,000 trout ranging from 1 to 4 pounds. Volunteers will serve as one-on-one fishing coaches, assisting youngsters throughout the day.

Rods, reels, tackle and T-shirts will be provided for the young anglers to use and keep. A barbecue lunch will be served, followed by a casting contest and other activities.

The annual event draws youth from the School for the Blind, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and Emanuel Legacy, Kaiser Kids and Shriners hospitals, but anyone with a special-needs child is invited.