By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com
Shouts of glee, an occasional cool breeze, a bit of dance music, and shared camaraderie made the Second Annual Kids’ Fishing Derby a day of fun for more than 30 young participants and that many or more adults who gathered at Pratt County Veterans Memorial Lake last Saturday.
An over-abundance of small perch did not deter the young fishermen and fisherwomen who had just as much fun catching the small fish, as they did cheering for those who snagged the big ones. Each catch was brought to a central weigh station where Pratt County Sheriff Jimmy White helped remove hooks and verify type and length of fish.
“Oh this is just so much fun, to get these kids out here, enjoying nature, that is what it is all about. This is a great day; one of my favorites,” White said.
Fish caught included several large mouth bass, many silver catfish, all sizes of perch, a common carp, and a turtle.
For fishermen Kacin Strong and Noah Ricke, catching the small fish turned out to be the secret to their eventual success in landing a few big ones.
“We just left the perch on the hook and threw it back out on the line to catch the big one,” Strong said.
His dad, Tyler Strong, said the kids’ fishing day was one of their favorite events of the summer.
“The kids are involved in a lot of sporting camps and activities all summer, but this free fishing day out here at the lake, it just tops all and puts a great ending on summer. They absolutely love it,” he said.
Hosted by the Pratt Lions Club and Ike’s Foundation, everything about the Kids’ Fishing Derby was provided free for participants, from poles and bait to food and eventual prizes. Local sponsors Morgan Diesel, Xtra Factors, KDWP, Pratt County Sheriff’s Department and SouthWest Truck Parts made it possible for participants to go home with new fishing poles, headlight lamps, flashlights and bug repellent wrist bands for future fishing fun. The Ike’s Foundation and Pratt Lions Club awarded trophies to the top three big fish catch winners, Jasper Rose, Charlie Rose, and Kacin Strong.
“We are out here having so much fun,” said Ike’s Foundation president Ike Agwu. “It’s about more than that though, we are learning together and that is the best part. We all come together to celebrate with each other for each fish that is caught.”
Agwu estimated there were more than 50 fish caught during the Second Annual Kids’ Fishing Derby, but he was not sure if that was more or less than last year. All that mattered was that everyone there had fun, he said.
