By Lindsey Doi

SUTHERLIN, Ore. -- Dozens of fifth graders swarmed Cooper Creek Reservoir on Thursday eagerly reeling in scores of rainbow trout by the minute.

The fishing field trip is part of the annual Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby, which raises funds for improving fish habitat and passages in the Umpqua Basin.

They're projects Eastwood Elementary students know a thing or two about. Their school has been raising salmon for years, with activities like this giving them a broader view of the salmon ecosystem.

This year the fish are biting, and even though these youngsters are releasing their catch, the derby chairman hopes they'll be hooked on a sport that's right in their backyards.

"What we're doing here is we're making fishermen out of these kids. And even if these kids don't become fishermen, they'll fall in love with the whole idea of having fish on our river. They'll love it just as much as we love it, and that's important to us," said Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby Chariman Dale Roberts.