Our Cultural Heritage of Fish and Fishing

The final theme of the 2018 Cultural Heritage project in Wayne County focuses on fish and fishing. From prehistoric travelers to today’s tourists, people have enjoying the local fish for thousands of years. According to Anne Snow in Rainbow Views, the first fish hatchery in the area was built by George Brinkerhoff near Bicknell. In 1936, the State of Utah built what’s known today as the Loa State Fish Hatchery at Brian Springs. It’s one of the oldest hatcheries in the state. The J. Perry Egan Hatchery located in Bicknell Bottoms was built in 1973. It provides eggs for the state’s other fish hatcheries.

4-H youth grades three and up are invited to participate in after-school activities focusing on our heritage of fish and fishing. Regardless of whether you’re a fan of fish or not, come to the dinner on Wednesday May 16 at 6PM. We’ll be serving BOTH beef and fish. If you’re planning to join us, please call the USU Extension/4-H Office at 435-836-1312 or Annette Lamb at 435-425-3415 to let us know how many will be attending.

If you own antique fishing gear, make your own fishing flies, or have other fishing related items to share, please contact the USU Extension/4-H office. Send us historical photos of your family fishing. Contact Project Director Annette Lamb at info@entradainstitute.org or call 435-425-3415 for more information. This project is made possible through a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Entrada Institute. LIKE us at facebook.com/sparkinghumanities. – Annette Lamb, The Entrada Institute

Photo Credit: Royal Harward holding a large fish outside Loa in the 1930s.