Snapping turtles and Canada geese are ordinarily the major inhabitants of the lakes at Anson B. Nixon Park. But for one special weekend of the year, they are outnumbered by fishermen and their prey.

The 26th annual Trout Rodeo, sponsored by the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance, attracted several hundred anglers of all ages on Saturday under cloudy skies, chilly temperatures and occasional raindrops.

The day before, the BRC staff had stocked more than 600 trout in the lakes – brooks, browns and rainbows – from the Cherry Grove Trout Hatchery in Stroudsburg. BRC Executive Director Jim Jordan said they ranged in size from 11 to 25 inches.

Joining the anglers were a goose sitting on eggs and a green heron. The animals appeared not at all bothered by the presence of crowds of early risers and their fishing rods.

Adding to the enjoyment of the participants was a food truck from El Ranchero that arrived at about 9:30 a.m. Prizes were awarded for the biggest and most prolific catches in several categories.