4th Annual Kansas Fish Wizards Tour
A fundraiser for the Native Stone Scenic Byway and the Volland Foundation
June 3 and June 4, 2023
(3 tickets left for June 3)
Reservations
(click here)
$50 + tax and fee
at Eventbrite
Photo by Pam Tennison
…and by popular demand
The 2023 Fish Wizards T-shirt
(collectible!)
orders are now closed
Orange- spotted sun fish illustrated by Joe Tomelleri
from a Wabaunsee County creek
You may pick up your shirt when you arrive for your tour.
Please note: there will not be extra shirts for sale on event days.
The Volland Foundation and the Native Stone Scenic Byway announce the 4th Annual Fish Wizards Tour
Come along for a fun-filled trip to see and learn more about the beautiful and amazing fish species in the streams of beautiful Wabaunsee County, Kansas! More than 20 species of fish are found in the crystal clear waters of these Flint Hills streams.
The Fish Wizards Tour will be led by renowned fisheries scientists, and participants are in for an unforgettable experience. They will learn sampling techniques, fish identification, and life history information of many native fish species.
Our tour leaders are quite an accomplished crew!
Dr. Bill Stark is a professor at Fort Hays State University and specializes in fisheries and aquatic environment studies. His research includes numerous studies on Kansas’ native fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Joe Tomelleri is the world’s leading freshwater fish illustrator and has more than 1,100 illustrations. His work has been featured in more than 1,000 publications, including Trout and Salmon of North America, Outdoor Life, Eddie Bauer, and of course Kansas Fishes. His illustrations are scientifically accurate and document the species in their native colors. Joe’s prints will be available for sale at the Volland Gallery.
Mike Kaminski is a fisheries biologist and and Instructor of Biology at Clarkson College in Omaha, Nebraska. He has collected fishes from throughout the U.S. and now enjoys sharing knowledge with students and people of all ages.
Dr. Brian Bohnsack will assist with the tours and provide insights on the principles of fish and wildlife management based on his long career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and Wichita State University.
June is an ideal time for the 4th annual Fish Wizards Tour. Many of the fish will be dressed in their peak spawning colors and will be ready to impress us with their brilliant colors.
TOUR LOGISTICS
The tour begins at 10am and will last about four hours. The tour will occur at a selected sampling site on a tributary of Mill Creek in Wabaunsee County.
Attendees should wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes and will need to be able to walk down stream banks. Volunteers can wade in and help with the sampling efforts if desired. If you wish to wade in the creek, you are encouraged to bring waders or hip boots, though they are not required. Remember that rocks can be slippery! You may get wet during the trip, so dress accordingly.
Please bring sunscreen, bug repellent, a lawn chair, and if the weather is hot, bring an umbrella for shade from the sun.
The fun begins when we arrive at the creek! The Fish Wizards will locate and seine for fish, then bring them up for the participants to see “up close and personal.” After wading and watching and learning, a boxed lunch will be provided around noon, and you are invited to visit and linger in the shade, departing at your leisure.
Attendance is limited to 30 individuals for each day. Reserve your spot now! The registration is $50 + tax and fees. The event is a fundraiser for the Native Stone Scenic Byway and the Volland Foundation. Registration fees are non-refundable. Every effort will be made to provide the tour on-site. In the case of heavy rain and/or stream flows, a presentation will be given about Kansas fish species and the history of Wabaunsee County at the Volland Gallery, 24098 Volland Road, 8 miles west of Alma, Kansas. Map and directions here.
The Fish Wizards Tour is open for everyone! Kids through senior citizens will enjoy learning about amazing and beautiful fish species of Kansas.
Join us in June for a memorable experience!
