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Fish Wizards hosted its fourth annual fish tour June 3 and 4 in Volland. Hosts were a group of Fort Hays State University alumni, including a current FHSU professor.
A fundraiser for the Volland Foundation and the Native Stone Scenic Byway, this event provides participants with hands-on experience with native fishes.
“A lot of folks can see the wildlife species that are out on the prairie: the birds, the animals, the buffalo, but they can’t see the fish,” Fish Wizards Founder Dr. Brian Bohnsack said. “The purpose is to get them out on the water and see what we’ve got here.”
Bohnsack was joined by three other “Fish Wizards.” Dr. Bill Stark, Joe Tomelleri and Mike Kaminski helped participants identify fish species.
During the tour, fish were caught and placed in transparent aquariums. Participants had a chance to look at the fish and have the Wizards explain the species before the fish were released back into the creek.
Bohnsack said people are often surprised by the diversity of fish present in the creek. Over twenty native fish species of fish along this particular stretch of Spring Creek were found, including the federally-endangered Topeka Shiner.
The event is timed with the fish’s spawning season so the fish are at their prettiest.
“My mom told me when she first came to Fish Wizards she thought all the Kansas fish should just be browns and greens, but they’re beautiful colors,” one of the younger participants, Kahlan, said. This year was Kahlan’s second Fish Wizards tour.
“I just like being outside in the fresh air and with all my friends,” Kahlan said. “The environment is really nice. I enjoy it a lot.”
Bohnsack emphasized that this event is family-friendly and that individuals of all ages can learn something.
“We try to tell folks there’s no silly questions, there’s no dumb questions,” Bohnsack said.
Fish Wizards will be held again next year and individuals can purchase tickets through the Volland Foundation website closer to the event date.
For information on other events hosted by the foundation, visit: Welcome to The Volland Foundation in the Flint Hills at thevollandstore.com.