It’s almost opening day of fishing season, so before you bait your hook, you and your family can learn from a beautiful rainbow trout the benefits of catch and release.

The Adopt A Stream Foundation is presenting a free showing of the 1969, 16mm film “The Way of Trout” Friday at the Northwest Stream Center at McCollum Park.

“The Way of Trout” takes viewers underwater. The stars of the movie are rainbow trout, and the drama is this fish’s day-to-day fight to survive.

The fight takes place throughout the trout’s lifespan, as the fish tries to evade other fish, birds and animals.

The movie shows us that man is the only predator who can make the choice whether to eat the fish or release it to spawn future generations.

This movie is the original award-winner produced for Trout Unlimited.

“It was one of the first films to advocate ‘catch and release,’ ” said Adopt A Stream Foundation director Tom Murdoch. “You will really enjoy seeing this short film that features a wise old fly fisherman and a very large and beautiful female rainbow trout on the Northwest Stream Center’s big screen.”

After the movie, visitors can go on a short tour of the center’s Trout Stream Exhibit, the newest trout stream in the state.

Guests will also have a chance to enter a raffle to win some fishing gear from John’s Sporting Goods and the Avid Angler. Raffle proceeds will help Adopt A Stream meet a challenge grant that will fund the construction of an elevated nature walk at the Northwest Stream Center.

“The Way of Trout” will run at 7 p.m. Friday at the Northwest Stream Center at McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett.

Space is limited so you need to register in advance for this free event by calling 425-316-8592.

See the Puget Sound Streamkeepers website, www.streamkeeper.org, for more information.