By Frank Rizzo
JEFFERSONVILLE — Hundreds of trout which started life in classroom "incubators" were released into the waters of the east branch of the Callicoon Creek in Jeffersonville last Friday.
It was part of Sullivan West's Trout in the Classroom program in which about 100 fifth grade students took part. The classes are taught by Kelly Erlwein, Sue Mullally, Lisa Hoffmann and Joanne Mullally.
The activities were split up. Two classes walked down to the creek across from the old Lutheran Church to test the pH and water temperature of the creek and make other observations. Then they lined up with clear plastic cups as teachers and parent volunteers carefully poured the fish from out of buckets into the cups.
Meanwhile, at the school, another group of students learned about one of the most important of Sullivan County fish via a program sponsored by the Upper Delaware Chapter of Trout Unlimited. There were tables for fish carving, fly tying, insect study, fly casting, fish crafts and the offerings of the National Park Service.
Singer-songwriter Ira McIntosh of Andes in Delaware County provided musical accompaniment and story telling with his program called "Twist and Trout."
"They were very enthusiastic and excited," McIntosh said of the morning group.
Trout in the Classroom programs are usually sponsored by the Catskill Watershed Council, but since the district is not technically in the NYC watershed, Jeff Bank took over the sponsorship.