Fishing opener draws crowd

HAGERMAN - About 300 people lined the banks of ponds and streams of the Hagerman Wildlife Management area Tuesday morning. Anglers arrived as early as midnight to kick off the fishing season. Fishermen armed with propane heaters, fishing poles, hot coffee, and snacks, descended on one of the most popular fishing areas in the Magic Valley Region. "We have been coming here for the opening day of fishing season for years," said Garrett Brannan, of Star, Idaho. "We always have a good time, and catch a lot of fish." "Fishing at the Hagerman Wildlife Management area on opening day is a tradition," Brannon said. "One of our friends was always nagging us to come here fishing, he passed away a few years ago. Now coming here to fish has become a memorial to him. We fish, have a good time, and remember him." In preparation for the opening day, Idaho Department of Fish and Game made sure there were enough fish for everyone. "We have stocked nearly 24,000 fish in ponds and streams during the past month," said Joe Chapman, Hagerman State Fish Hatchery Manager. "In Oster 1, we stocked 4,800 fish; Oster 3, about 3,000 fish; and in Riley Pond, we stocked 16,000 fish." Most of the fish planted are between 14 to 16 inches in length, with most averaging one pound. "We have gotten a lot of positive comments from anglers," said Chapman. "Many of them catch their six fish limit in under an hour."