Families Fish At Soda Springs Winter Carnival

The season’s recent storm may have had more in common with April showers than a January blizzard, but folks in Soda Springs are celebrating the winter season this weekend.

Soda Springs’ Winter Carnival doesn’t have much in the way of the usual carnival activities, no tilt-a-whirl or merry-go-round, but there are plenty of poles, hooks and fish.

For the carnival, Clear Springs Foods hosts a fishing derby where about 2,500 fish are released into a pond.

“And they just go at it. They can catch as many as they can and as many as they want,? Clear Springs manager Jerry Giles said.

Ed Gegemann brought his son Adam to the fishing derby for the first time. It”s something he does with family and friends every year.

“We’ve been doing this for years. Six seven years we’ve been doing this. And it’s just fun, the camaraderie. The fish are unbelievably big. We had several that were 9 pounds. It’s just a blast out here,? Hegemann said.

Adam said he loved tagging along, though waking up before the crack of dawn to get the perfect spot wasn’t the high point for him.

“It was my first time ever going with the guys. And it really is going to affect me with my sleep, I can tell you that,? Adam said.

The money made at the fishing derby goes for a good cause. It helps out the local food bank and other community projects.

Last year the fish fundraiser paid for new carpeting at the local library.

“We like to be good neighbors and help support the communities that we live and work in,? Giles said.

But most importantly, those at the carnival said it’s about having a good time and bringing families together.