A slight variation to the old saying about worms and early birds: The early worm gets the fish.

Hundreds of anglers enjoyed Wyoming’s Free Fishing Day on Saturday. Those in Powell — especially those with early reservations — were able to avoid forecasted rain and enjoy a day on the water with family and friends pulling in extremely feisty trout.

The fish were hungry at sunrise, with some anglers pulling in their limits in 10-15 minutes. Those done early had plenty of time to enjoy the sights and sounds of happy fishermen at Homesteader Park and listen for their ticket numbers being called by Powell Rec Department employees running a constant raffle for sweet fishing gear.

Later in the morning the bite slowed, said Joe Cates, recreation supervisor for the department. But that didn’t stop the mostly sold-out event from having family fun.

James Quarles and his two 4-year-old grandsons sat and waited patiently for the 8 a.m. time slot to begin — one grandson on each of his knees. It was their first time fishing together, he said.

Three generations of the family lined up on the west shore of the facility offering Braxton and Hayden support, including the children’s’ mother Senora Quarles, grandpa James’ wife Krista and great-grandfather Ron Miller.

“I was raised in the outdoors with my dad and I want to give my children the same experience,” Senora said.

The boys learned how to cast and watch for a bite as family members worked with each while enjoying a cool, yet dry morning together waiting for hungry fish to find their bait. But Moose Ahlstrand may have made the best catch of the day.

While fishing with his family on the east side of the lake, his youngest child, 15-month-old Franklin, decided to make a quick dash for the water. Moose reached out just in time to snatch the child from the shore before he dived in head first.

“He loves the bathtub and water in general. They’ll all go and sit at the neighbor’s sprinklers and just play,” he said after the emergency was averted while accompanying all four of his children to the event.

Seven-year-old Mikey Holland harvested a pretty trout, hooking two while fishing with family on his first fishing adventure ever.

“He had one earlier, but he had never fished on his own and lost it when he stopped reeling. Then mom came to the rescue and he reeled in his next bite all on his own,” said David Holland of his wife, Donella.

Mikey was all smiles carrying his fish back to their vehicle. After the event ended around noon, anglers of all ages were allowed to fish free for the rest of the day. The pond will be open through the summer, but licenses and all Wyoming Game and Fish Department rules apply the rest of the season. This was the 37th year for the annual event in Powell.

Jerold Vincent, member of the East Yellowstone Chapter of Trout Unlimited, was busy teaching children how to cast near the bait station at Cody’s free fishing event at Beck Lake. The chapter, along with the Optimist Club and support from the Shoshone National Forest and Game and Fish, hosted the event. More than 250 kids participated, said Game and Fish Information and Education Specialist Tara Hodges.

“It was nice to see families come out for family fun despite not having sunny weather,” she said.

Beck Lake Park, which boasts three lakes, has a variety of fish stocked for family fun. Beck Lake has stocked channel catfish, tiger muskie, crappie, rainbow and cutthroat trout, yellow perch — and a few bass and brown trout as well. Markham and New Cody reservoirs have stocked yellow perch, rainbow, cutthroat and a few brown trout, according to Game and Fish officials.

If you missed the weekend fun, it’s not too late to join in organized family fishing fun. Basin is holding its fishing day celebration June 17 from 8:30 a.m.-noon. It’s a great time to start the Father’s Day festivities early.

The Bighorn National Forest, along with sponsors Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and Trout Unlimited, is throwing a fishing event at the Porcupine Ranger Station Pond (near Forest Service Road 13 in the Bighorn Mountains) June 24 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Lunch will be provided. For more information, contact Pete Kassab at ppkassab@gmail.com.