Trout for Cheat begins fall stocking | Preston County News | wvnews.com/10-18-22

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KINGWOOD — Trout for Cheat is celebrating its 22nd year of stocking the Cheat River.

On Friday, members of the group stocked the river from the U.S. 50 bridge to one mile above Pringle Run, according to Jim White, president of the group.

White said that with the help of students from the ChalleNGe Academy and members of the Preston County Sheriff’s Department, 1,700 pounds of rainbow trout and a few golden trout were stocked during 22 stops along the river.

Cadets carry the fish to the river, and deputies handle traffic control while the caravan of cars stops to let the fish be carried to the river in large tubs.

All the people who help stock the river are volunteers.

All the fish come from a West Virginia vendor, according to White.

He said half of the trout stocked weighted between 1 and 2 pounds, and the other half between 3 and 4 pounds.

“We’re saving the big ones for spring,” White said. “We stock eight times a year — four times in spring and four times in fall.”

Newly elected members of Trout for Cheat are White, president; Jon Hunter, vice president; Bobby Peddicord, secretary; and Jim Darlington, sergeant at arms. Other board members are Bo Burnside and J.R. Baldwin.

White said money to stock the river comes from donations and from a February Gun Bash that’s held at the Craig Civic Center.

Donations to Trout for Cheat can be sent to Trout for Cheat, Box 261, Rowlesburg, WV 26435.

Staff Writer Jeniffer Graham can be reached at jgraham@prestonnj.com