July 2022 - 44

GENERATIONAL
Alsager grew up at fish hatcheries. His
dad was a hatchery manager for Idaho Fish
and Game for 32 years. Alsager began his
hatchery career in 2003.
Alsager's wife, Kristen, lived at four fish
hatcheries as her dad worked for Idaho Fish
and Game as well. The Alsagers have been
married 10 years and have two young boys,
Kyler, 8, and Kayder, 6. Kristin said they
were married less than a year when he was
offered the job at Speas.
" I love the fact we get to live where Lars
works, " she said. " I feel as a family we get
to see him more. He does not have to get
up early and commute to work, and he also
gets to come home for lunch. It has been
great for our family to spend time together.
" Having fish hatchery and fish culture
experience has helped me with this lifestyle.
I truly understand how it works and what it
takes. My parents made it a family deal, and
with Lars also coming from hatcheries, we
continue this with our own family. Our kids
are always eager to learn about and see all
the species raised at Speas. I would have to
say it is in their blood. I could not be more
happy to watch them grow up being a part
of the hatchery lifestyle. "
WORDS OF WISDOM
Welch recalled a time when he worked at
Speas when a summer thunderstorm dumped
about 4 inches of rain in about 30 minutes.
Water flooded the facility and backed
up water screens. Welch was there and did
what he could to keep a bad situation from
getting worse.
" We did lose some fish, but if no one had
been there it could have been a disaster, "
he said.
That's a good example of why employees
live at hatcheries.
" I can't imagine what would happen if we
turned it over to security guards watching
over television screens, " Welch said. " If there
was a lightning strike that blew something
up or any other kind of emergency, what are
they going to do? "
Added Hunter: " For the good of the facility
you have to figure out how to mitigate
these situations. "
44 | July 2022
Those who seek careers at fish hatcheries/
rearing stations know living on the grounds
is part of the job. Still, this line of work
isn't like most jobs and adjustments - even
sacrifices - have to be made.
" Rarely a day goes by that I don't do
something work-related, even though I am
scheduled off, " Alsager said. " I do have a
good ability to turn off work in short spurts,
which allows me to spend time with my
family and enjoy time off. This is the life I
chose and I wouldn't have it any other way. "
- Robert Gagliardi is the associate editor of Wyoming
Wildlife.
For more information about
the 10 Wyoming Game and Fish
Department fish hatcheries/rearing
stations go to: https://wgfd.
wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/
Fish-Hatchery-Information
Fish Culturist Greg Vandeventer, left, and Wigwam Rearing Station Superintendent Jeff Stafford transfer fish into a
circular tank. (Photo by Patrick Owen/WGFD)
FISH HATCHERIES AND REARING STATIONS IN WYOMING
Clark's Fork
Fish Hatchery
Tillett Rearing
Station
Wigwam
Rearing Station
Ten Sleep
Fish Hatchery
Dubois
Fish Hatchery
Daniel Fish
Hatchery
Auburn Fish
Hatchery
Boulder
Rearing Station
Dan Speas
Fish Hatchery
Story Fish
Hatchery

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Fish-Hatchery-Information

July 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2022