Although the forecast called for a stormy day, visitors saw only sunshine and passing clouds while enjoying fishing and hiking at Ivy Creek Park early Sunday afternoon.
Jim Goodrow brought his granddaughter Dixie Lynn Stratton, 4, to the park, which is located off Lakeside Drive in Lynchburg, for her first fishing excursion after scoping it out a couple weeks ago.
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries stocks Clemmons Lake at Ivy Creek Park with trout and catfish; people who fish at the lake can keep the ones that meet size limits. Smaller fish must be thrown back.
“You gotta be patient, kiddo,” Goodrow told Dixie Lynn as she held her pink “My Little Pony” fishing pole above the water on a dock beside the lake.
Dixie Lynn said she was excited when she caught her first fish, which she described as “gooshy.” The fish wasn’t big enough to keep, so she went back to work, watching as her grandfather strung a wriggling worm on her small hook before dropping it in the water.
“I’m having more fun that she is probably,” Goodrow laughed as he helped his granddaughter direct her line. “…This is a beautiful little place.”
He said the pair plans to come back with Dixie Lynn’s mom and aunt for Mother’s Day next weekend and would like to explore more of the park with kayaks.
Lynchburg Parks and Recreation offers kayak and canoe rentals for families to use on Clemmons Lake, according to Chief Naturalist Debbie Hoffbeck. She said this is the first year the park is offering kayaks for children ages 8 and older.
“We’ve had canoe and adult kayaks for many years and one the things we’ve found is the kayaks are the most popular,” she explained. “We found that the adult size is just too big for smaller children because they need to be sized for the person.”
So, the park now has four child-sized kayaks available for rent or use during a kayak lesson. These kayaks are smaller in length and width, and have adjustable paddles and a child-size seat. They are available to rent for $6 per hour on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday marked opening day for this year’s boat rental season at the park, Lynchburg Parks and Recreation employee Taylor Alexander said.