The Hunting and Fishing Store opened at L.L. Bean last weekend, and it's clear they got the fishing part right.

Here is a photo of trout swimming happily in downtown Freeport. And it's clear the little girl at left will remember this moment for some time.

The chance to see (living) trout is rare. This display bodes well for the "theme park" that L.L. Bean officials are reportedly considering.

Wouldn't it be exciting if youngsters could see these native Maine fish in their lustrous, active state?

Displays like this would go a long way to creating an appreciating for the fish, and could raise the popularity of "catch and release" programs.

L.L. Bean was packed Saturday. I don't know what sales figures were but there were hundreds of curious outdoors lovers who visited.

I suspect many got their first eye-to-eye viewing of handsome trout at this colorful exhibit.

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