When you think of the National Trout Center in Preston, you probably think of fly fishing, but there’s so much more to it than that. Program Director Kelsey Hoffman and Office Coordinator Annie Lewis both began working at the center on April 1 and are excited to watch it grow.
“I walked into this place not really knowing what it is all about,” Lewis said about her new position. “I had this notion that it was just for people who wanted to learn how to fly fish. That’s not true. It’s for anyone who wants to explore the world of trout and for anyone who wants to learn more about this driftless area we live in.”
“Our overall goal is really to educate people about what we have in our area and how special it is,” Hoffman added. “We all need to appreciate what we have.”
Hoffman, a conservation biologist who received her Masters in Ecology from Winona State, currently works at the center four days a week. “I like meeting people and helping them learn about the different outdoor activities available in the area,” she said. She is also passionate about educating kids about wildlife.
Lewis and her husband grew up in Winona, but when they retired, they moved to Mabel to be close to the trout fishing in the area. “I couldn’t be happier finding a job like this,” she expressed. “It’s my passion, and
it’s a way to bring families together. This is a very unique area and one that needs to be conserved for generations to come.”
Lewis has a background in marketing, communications, and coordinating special events and fundraisers, so although she was hired as the office coordinator, her position has evolved to reflect those strengths.
The first event that Lewis and Hoffman put on was held on April 15 and was the official “opener” for the National Trout Center. It was a big success, with 78 visitors coming through the doors in just a two-hour period. Lewis made a crockpot of trout chowder to serve at the event and the Sweet Stop and Sandwich Shoppe in Preston donated trout shaped cookies for the event. Some of the center’s board members were there to talk to people as well. “The most important thing was that people walked through the door and saw what we have here,” Lewis said. By the end of the day, $580 had been brought in through donations and membership fees, and $224 in retail sales.
Lewis said that a goal has been set to add 25 new members to the Trout Center this summer and they’ve already reached 15. Members receive a free t-shirt with registration and get 10% off of fee-based events and merchandise along with receiving priority registration for classes.
“I’d love to have consistent programming for kids and families every week about anything from trout to geology,” Hoffman said, noting that she and Lewis are working towards that goal. They have also been expanding the retail side of the center, adding original artwork, books, t-shirts, knapsacks and more to the offerings. Visitors can also purchase fishing licenses and trout stamps at the National Trout Center now.
Some of the upcoming activities at the National Trout Center are Fly Tying Fridays where anyone can come in and learn how to tie flies at no cost. A River Walk with board chair and geologist Jeff Broberg is scheduled for June 17 and a Women’s Fly Fishing Class for June 24. On July 8, a Preston Bike Tour will be held, and on July 15, Jeff Broberg will teach a Spin Fishing Workshop. A Wine and Canvas event has been planned for August 19 with Kay Spangler and a Geology Bus Tour for October 14.
“We want to preserve this beautiful area so we’ll have it for generations to come,” Hoffman stated. She and Lewis are working to line up an event or class for every Saturday to keep people active in the National Trout Center. “It’s a nice place for people who are coming to visit Preston,” she said.
The National Trout Center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. You can find more information at www.nationaltroutcenter.org or by emailing info@nationaltroutcenter.org.