A Fish Tale

Last Friday afternoon, I was meeting my son after school, when I saw his technology education teacher, Mr. Faranov, loading some things into his car.  I spoke with him and he told me he was going to release the fish into the Yellow Breeches that day.   Soon my son, Jacob, came strolling out and told me he wanted to go to the park and see the fish released.  We had a little bit of time before we had to get my younger kids from the Hillside, so I said, "Let's go!"

Brook Trout Eggs

Releasing 'the fish' is a big deal.  Mr. Faranov and his students raise the brook trout from eggs to fingerlings in a tank in their New Cumberland  Middle School classroom.  They take care of them by feeding them and monitoring tank quality.  Then when the time comes, he, along with some students take the young fish to be released into the Yellow Breeches Creek at New Cumberland Borough Park.

Andre Faranov, or 'Mr. Faranov,' as he is know to his students,  has been participating in the Pennsylvania Trout in the Classroom project every year for the past four years.  It all started in the fall of 2008 when he was awarded a grant from the PA and Cumberland Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited.  This is a statewide program made possible through a partnership between Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Brook Trout in Aquarium in Mr. Faranov's New Cumberland Middle School classroom.

We drove to Borough Park and met Mr. Faranov near the large pavilion.  Jacob assisted him in carrying the fish over to the banks of the Yellow Breeches.  Mr. Faranov scouted out a favorable location to release the fingerlings.  The best area, he told us, is a spot that allows for the small fish to escape and hide from predators.  After a short search, he found a good spot, a rocky area, with a fallen tree nearby.  Jacob and Mr. Faranov scaled the steep bank with the bucket.  They simply reached into the bucket with a net, scooped up a few fish, and released them into their new environment of the Yellow Breeches.  And off the swam the fish into their new home.

Jacob and Mr. Faranov carrying the fish to be released.

The next time you are at Borough Park,  fishing or trying to catch a glimpse of a fish, it just might be one of many that Mr. Faranov and his students have raised and released over the years. 

Releasing Brook Trout into the Yellow Breeches Creek at New Cumberland Borough Park.