Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Children and adults can celebrate days gone by this weekend.

Hayden's Huck Finn Day gives youngsters the chance to dress up like some of Mark Twain's famous characters while trying their hand at fishing.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife sponsors the event, along with the town of Hayden and the Hayden Community Action Network.

Registration and activities begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at Hayden Town Park's pavilion.

Children are encouraged to participate in the Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher Look-Alike Contest.

But costume or not, all youngsters can throw their fishing lines into Dry Creek, beginning at 10 a.m.

The DOW stocks Dry Creek with 200 rainbow trout for the fishing contest.

From 9 to 10 a.m., several stations manned by DOW volunteers will offer children four 15-minute clinics on such things as aquatic insects, fly-tying, fly casting and catch and release.

Jim Haskins, DOW district wildlife manager, said Huck Finn Day provides not only fun for young anglers but also an education about the outdoors.

"One of the requirements, if we do one of these, is that there be some kind of educational component," Haskins said.

While presenters gear their message toward a younger audience, adults may find the topics interesting.

Lindsay Heer, recreation coordinator for the town, said she expects about 100 children to attend. She thanked the DOW for its generosity in lending instructional tools as well as expertise to the event.

Children who come without fishing equipment can still participate.

Fifty rods and reels will be available for youngsters.

The contest will award children who not only dress up like Huck Finn or Becky Thatcher but to the girl and boy who catch the first fish, the largest fish and the smallest fish.

Other prizes will also be drawn for participants, Heer said.

Although children will learn the importance of the catch-and-release program through clinics, they are encouraged to keep the fish they catch Saturday.

"It's certainly geared toward getting kids out with the parents and promoting the family," Haskins said.

A lunchtime barbecue and children's relays will wrap up the day.

Those who miss out on Huck Finn Day will have more opportunities to throw their line into Dry Creek.

Haskins said children never catch all 200 fish in one day and continue to catch them throughout the summer.