Casting A Line In Reston

Nearly 150 Reston-area children got up early on Saturday and headed to the Snakeden stream area off of Soapstone Road to try and catch some fish.

and Wetland Studies and Solutions, the natural resource consulting group that has been working on ongoing Reston's stream restoration project, teamed up to offer the event.

On Friday, about 400 trout were stocked in the stream.

That made for a good introduction to fishing on Saturday for many of the kids, some as young as preschool age. Volunteers were there to help the youngsters with equipment (they  could borrow a rod and other supplies) technique, and cleaning and scaling their catch in case they wanted to take it home and eat it.

Parents were also helping the kids along. There were fathers and sons, toddlers in strollers, and entire families in rain gear in the morning drizzle.

"We're helping out RA," said Sarah Townsend, Wetland's directer of geographic information services. "It is crucial that people are aware of the beautiful resources we have right here."