Monitor Photo/Tim Ball
A family takes advantage of the newly reopened Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center amenity by fishing off the bank during the soft opening held June 28. 

Monitor Photo/Tim Ball
Guests Andrew (from left), Lucas, Victor and Carter Harmon view the top 10 ShareLunkers during the soft opening of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center June 28.

Monitor Photo/Tim Ball
Large bass swim around on display in the ShareLunker tank at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries in Athens. 

By Tim Ball
publisher@themonitor.net

ATHENS–The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) held a soft opening in Athens June 28. Director of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center Tom Lang, stated the event was open to contractors, departmental staff and their families, retirees of the department and their families. 
“It was really to try and pack the house to help us practice. It was a soft open just like you would a restaurant,” said Lang. “After 22 months of being closed, this would help us shift gears and give us some practice before we reopen to the public July 1. We found some things here and there that we can adjust, so we have a better showing for our visitors. So that's really what the purpose was and it's worked out really well for us. On the other hand, rewarding dedicated staff that work so hard to support all of our fish and wildlife resources and parks all across the great state of Texas, just to have that opportunity, it is really nice to be able to do that.
“This project is about an $8.5 million renovation and the money came almost exclusively through private donations and partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) and The Friends of the TFFC, in addition to a heck of a lot of elbow grease from our staff,” continued Lang. “So, the foundation did a whole heck of a lot and then while we were closed, we took the opportunity to expand and to do so much more. 
“Everything you're seeing in the building here is all a TFFC team effort,” emphasized Lang. “We’re the only fisheries division to get up close and personal with so many different species of freshwater fish. We have the Texas freshwater fishing Hall of Fame, the American Fishery Society Hall of Excellence, as well as the fish art contest, Angular recognition program and of course, the Toyota ShareLunker program. So that's why we're the big bass capital of the world because all them big, old beauties that come through here. 
“So, that's a good synopsis and of course, aside from the exhibits and learning about all the really cool stuff that we do, you get to go on a tram ride and see the hatchery operations up close and then enjoy some fishing at the Zebco Pond, Strike King Pond and the Centex Pond with our Brookshire’s Anglers Pavilion,” said Lang. 
“So, we say all you need is the desire, we have everything else you need to go fishing while you're here,” summarized Lang. “Additionally, you can walk the 1.2-mile round trip wetlands trail and visit the Hart-Morris Conservation Center which houses a game warden museum.” 
The soft open event June 28 welcomed 360 guests throughout the course of the day. Of that total, 311 of those went fishing and nine caught their very first fish. “I would say that is a very successful event,” pointed out Lang.
The TFFC is located at 5550 Farm to Market 2495 in Athens. Regular hours for the Fisheries are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Visit online at https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishing/tffc/.