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Layton • A breeze ripples across Andy Adams Reservoir as city workers clear a foot trail along the banks. At the ramp to the water, down a newly graveled road, Scott Green looks out over the water and recalls his father-in-law's smile during his latest fishing trip here.
The man, nearly 80 and no longer as sure of his footing in a river as he once was, rowed out across the 50-acre pond with his great-grandchildren on a recent afternoon and cast his line into the water until they had caught a dozen or so fish, Green says.
It's the first of many fishing stories the man hopes will be told about the new community fishery.
"It's close, it's fun and it makes it easy for people who can't travel very far for economic reasons," says Green, the president of the Kays Creek Irrigation company, which owns the reservoir.
With the grand opening of Andy Adams Community Fishery set for June 2, Green says he hopes the relationship between his company and Layton city will help fill a "community need."
Green's grandfather built the reservoir in 1914, with horses and scrapers. Before that, there was a usually dry creek bed that ran through Andy Adams' property.
A few years ago, Green approached city officials about the possibility of turning the reservoir into a community fishing hole. With the help of Layton City and the Division of Wildlife Resources, improvements have been made to the area and the water has been stocked with fish.
There is a boat ramp for non-motorized watercraft. The city has added signs, bathrooms, a parking lot and a gravel road to the reservoir, which is located near 1800 E. Gordon Ave.
The reservoir has been stocked with 14,000 trout, perch and bass. There's a two-fish limit. Fishermen can catch and release or keep their fish, especially if they hook a carp.
"I don't want them in there anymore," Green said.
At the June 2 grand opening, quick speeches and a ribbon cutting will give way to free fishing and the smell of dutch oven cooking as catches are cooked.
City officials say there are plans for fishing clubs and fishing classes for children later this summer. Layton leaders also have worked with Green and Kays Creek Irrigation to open a second fishing spot, turning nearby Hobbs Reservoir into a trophy fishery.
As workers carved out a footpath to help fishers get around most of the reservoir on a recent afternoon, Parks and Recreation Director David Price said there have been concerns from some neighbors about parking and people cutting through yards to get to the water's edge.
"But overall the neighbors have been very receptive," Price said.
Layton officials are convinced the fishery will be a boon for the community.
"I've gone fishing at Adams with my grandkids and it's a blast," Layton's parks planner Scott Carter said. "And that's what it's about."