If a kid in New York City has ever seen a trout, chances are it was on ice in the supermarket. Thanks to TIC, more NYC children are seeing trout alive. The idea is simple, put trout eggs into an aquarium and allow students to observe and care for the young trout. The rewards are unrivaled.

These kids learn a lot, and not only about trout. As it turns out, these fish provide the perfect medium to teach about water quality, ecological interactions, and outdoor activities. Furthermore, students learn responsibility while caring for the fish and they can even gain self confidence.

Kids who are failing math, spelling, or other traditional subjects may be great with the trout. When these students experience this success, it can boost their self-esteem and literally change the path of their entire life.

I was fortunate enough to attend a TIC trout release. After raising their fish all school year, the students release them into a nearby stream or reservoir (with the approval of the State, of course). As they let them go, they say goodbye to the trout, which they have named “Sport,” “Elvis,” and the like. In addition to placing the fish in a natural environment, the release provides the kids with an opportunity to see a stream first hand.

Rochelle Gandour, the tireless coordinator for TIC, assembled a group of volunteers to help with the release. A State Forester, a Department of Environmental Protection employee, and TU volunteers taught the kids about everything from trees, to macroinvertebrates. We had two classes throughout the day, second graders and high school students. One of the great things about TIC is that it can be tailored to any age group. Trout engage the attention of 8 year olds and 18 year olds alike.

Trout in the Classroom not only puts students in touch with nature, it connects them to something they depend on daily, their water supply. Residents of New York City enjoy some of the cleanest drinking water in the nation. While most New Yorkers would be disgusted to find out there are aquatic macroinvertebrates (a.k.a. “bugs”) in their water, TIC students now know better. The presence of these indicator species is important to both the city and the resident trout, including “Sport” and “Elvis.”

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NOTE: TIC was started by the Theodore Gordon Fly Fishers in New York City. Now, TU chapters and angling clubs across the country are contributing to this program financially and with volunteer hours. Starting a TIC tank in a local classroom is a great use of your chapter’s funds. Visit http://www.tu.org/site/pp.asp?c=7dJEKTNuFmG&b=404755 to find out more about TIC.