As far as clubs go the Chinook Rod and Gun Club is just in its infancy but in the five years since it resumed activity there is no doubt the impact the club has had on the community.

In 2013 the Club held its First Annual fishing Day and had a great turnout across the board but in the few years since turnout had began to diminish. “In the past we’ve held it on the first Saturday in June but with so many other things going on at the start of summer and school just getting out it became harder to attract kids to the event,” said Elmer Zarn, Committee Chair for the fishing day.

The solution, get the schools involved, “We contacted Principal Martin at the Meadowlark and Principal Seymour at Harlem Elementary and set things up through them,” added Zarn.

The schools both decided to send their fourth grade classes to Dry Fork Reservoir on Friday, May 5 for a day with volunteers from the Club as well as Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks,

The kids from Harlem arrived first and were fed, about a half hour later the Chinook kids arrived which worked well with getting everyone served a hot hamburger, then equipped to fish and eventually get ready to head home. The Harlem students left first with Chinook following shortly giving the kids equal time to fish.

The Rod and Gun club provided the food and bait while the MFWP supplied the poles and tackle. In addition to Zarn, Barry Murnion, Darin Hamilton, Ralph Cross, Chad Jones, Tammy Teel, Karla Kennedy Zarn and Katie Jacobs were all instrumental in making the day possible for the kids.

“We had a real good time, plan on doing it again next year,” said Zarn. As far as the location things are still up in the air, “We’re contemplating moving it to a smaller reservoir like North Faber where it might be a little easier for kids to catch fish,” concluded Zarn.