Donations needed to repair fishing pond

By Jana Wagoner

Every April, nearly 100 children take to the shores of a pond at the intersection of Georges Mill and Stevens roads for the annual Lovettsville Game Protective Association Fishing Derby.

At the derby, many of these children learn how to fish for the first time, with association members instructing them from station to station.

But now, a collapsed pipe in the catch-and-release pond is jeopardizing the 2009 derby. The pond has drained so much that the pipe, usually covered by water, is totally exposed.

A layer of algae appears all along the top of the water.

According to board member Chuck Wyant, the carp usually eat it, keeping the water clear.

Since the carp swam downstream – possibly to the Potomac River – the algae has taken over.

The minnows have swum away too. They provided food for birds. With no minnows, birds have become scarce, damaging the entire ecosystem in and around the pond, Wyant said.

The annual fishing derby is not the only event held at the pond.

Before the pipe collapsed, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts fished there, some to earn merit badges, and an event was planned to introduce at-risk youth to fishing.

“If we can't do our fishing derby next year, that's a whole generation that may never know how to fish,” Wyant said.

The association is raising money through fundraisers and asking the public to donate.

“We just need help,” board member Floyd Blethen said.

The following four events are coming up in the next few months to raise money for the pond and the association:

To find out more, log on to lovettsvillegameclub.org.