The Ararat River restoration project has brought rehabilitated streambanks, a new greenway, an environmental park and other improvements — not the least of which is better fishing.

Tony Bowman is one angler who has noticed a difference in the quality of the stream in the aftermath of the $4 million project launched in March 2009. Bowman, 71, of King, pulled in two brook trout earlier this week from the Ararat River which each weighed about 2 pounds and were around 17 inches long.

Both were reeled in at the same hole in a rocky section of the stream in the Riverside Park area where a deep pool has formed. “This is one of my favorite spots to fish,” said Bowman, but he added that he has never caught fish of that size from the Ararat before.

Bowman’s exceptional catch this week might have been a result of the river being stocked with 130 brook trout last Friday, according to a N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission representative in this area. But it also is a result of physical changes along the waterway which were made possible by the restoration, said Kin Hodges, District 7 fisheries biologist for the commission.

“The main thing it’s done is allowed us to stock it more,” Hodges said, explaining that the project has made the streambanks easier for fishermen to get up and down as well as increased accessibility for the fish-stocking itself. “We were actually able to increase the numbers allotted this year,” Hodges said.

The fisheries biologist added that before the work began, the Ararat River was “too wide.” Because the stream was spread out over a larger area than it is now, the water wasn’t deep enough to promote good fishing. “Most of it was too shallow to really have any good fish habitats,” Hodges said.

But the restoration has narrowed the stream’s flow and left huge boulders and deeper holes along the way which attract fish. Meanwhile, the work has made the river suitable for kayaking and canoeing as well.

Bowman said he caught the two large trout this week using salmon peach as bait.

While those specimens might’ve been left over from last Friday’s stocking — done to ensure good catches on Saturday for a Saturday children’s event at Riverside Park which included fishing — Hodges said the physical changes have brought lasting habitat improvements.

He said this might lead to expanded opportunities for fishing along the Ararat River in the coming months, with more details to be announced later.

Before casting a line into the river, one must have a basic fishing license that costs $15, as well as a trout stamp for $10, or obtain a comprehensive license covering all types of fishing at a $20 expense.

The Ararat River restoration and related improvements were made possible mostly with state funds.

A special event is planned for June 2 to officially dedicate the entire restoration and greenway project. The gathering will include representatives of various state and other funding agencies involved, as well as landowners who gave property for the effort.

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.