More than 150 participate in Kiwanis Club fishing event
By MARIE STEMPINSKI
Article published on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008  |
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| Photo by JIM LAYFIELD |
| Doug Wilder passes on a few tips to his son Devin, 10, of Seminole, at the Family Fishing Day event at Walsingham Park on Saturday, Aug. 2. |
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LARGO – More than 150 young anglers converged on Walsingham Park Aug. 2, each looking to hook the “big one.”
The third annual Seminole Breakfast Kiwanis Club’s Family Fun Fishing Day for youngsters ages 2 to 14 began at 8 a.m. when the first contestants dipped their poles into the Walsingham Reservoir and three hours later eight youngsters had won prizes.
The Fish-A-Thon idea was brought to the club by President Leah Hoffman and the Kiwanis Club sponsors the event each year along with the Pinellas County Parks and Recreation Department and Sweetbay supermarkets.
It is part of the organization’s mission to support the community and children. This years’ winners were: first place for the largest fish at 13 inches, Joshua Vanaken, Largo; second place with a 10-inch fish, E.J. Hammer, St. Petersburg; and third place (tie), R.J. Balsom and Kelsey Rhinier, both of Seminole, with 9-inch fish.
The smallest fish at 2 inches was reeled in by Tucker Hoyt of Largo and Nick Corner of Largo. Trevor Coffee of Seminole caught 14, the most fish of the day.
“There is no entry fee. Everything is free,” said Lee Walters, club secretary. “All the kids have to do is show up and they can fish the entire three hours if they wish, but we do suggest that they be accompanied by an adult.”
“We supply the gear and the bait,” said Walters. “There are no real rules, this is a fun event. But whatever you catch must be released. All fish, no matter how big, are returned to the water. We also have a free book give-a-way during the event. That’s part of our mission to encourage reading,” he added.
Kiwanis Fishing Days are held all over the country. Often they are sponsored by civic groups and churches.
The events teach children how to fish, foster family fun and because most are catch and release, they encourage conservation.
The events began in Florida in 1947 according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Web site. The agency, then called the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, sponsored the events to promote an interest in fishing among children living in urban areas.
“We get the same children year after year,” Walters said. “In fact one young man enjoyed it so much as a child, he comes back to volunteer with us each year.”
For more information about future Family Fun Fishing Days, call Walters at 319-8343.
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Article published on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008
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