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A number of years ago, a good friend of mine met with the
Mayor of Kokomo, Indiana and got permission to start a program
for kids that enjoyed fishing.
Jim "Moose" Carden was a giant of a man with a
heart of gold. His size was very much intimidating, but he was
truly a "Gentle Giant." Although "Moose"
is no longer with us, his legacy remains.
Every year as the Jim "Moose" Carden's Kid's Fishing
Clinic" rolls around, all the volunteers and program directors
remember the man that got this great kid's program started. There
has been a monument erected for "Moose" at the site
of the Kid's Tournament.
After "Moose" passed away, another personal friend
of mine decided to take the responsibility of keeping the program
going. John Martino is now the Chairman and I am especially honored
to be the co-chairman. This program is now approaching it's 16th.
year of existance, and every year, 120 children ages 6 to 15
get the opportunity to attend and have a great time.
The program has many volunteers that donate their time, expertise
and equipment to educate the kids, and evening classes are conducted
at the local high school class rooms and auditorium. Classes,
such as lure presentation, fish cleaning, catch and release,
crankbait and spinnerbait fishng, topwater fishing, live bait
fishing, outdoor ethics, and many other fishing topics are discussed
and many demonstrations are done.
Many guest speakers including the Mayor, Professional Anglers,
Guides, Conservation Officers and Professional "Trick Caster"
Scotty Lucas have made appearances for the enjoyment of the kids...and
grown ups!! Many fishing manufacturers and locals businesses
have donated door prizes to be distributed each evening and the
event ebds with many local anglers donating their time and equipment
for the kids to have fun.
On the last Saturday morning of the program, boat captains
show up at the boat ramp with fully rigged bass boats and all
120 kids are taken out on the water. They are given the opportunity
to compete in a fishing tournament within their age group. Any
and all fish caught regardless of size or species, can be brought
in to the weigh-in where the fish will be counted and weighed,
and then released alive and unharmed.
After the Weigh-In Ceremony is conducted, the Winners, according
to total weight and age group, is annunced. After the "Awards
Ceremony," there is a huge picnic for ALL the kids and AND
their families.
My friend, I can assure you that I eagerly anticipate the
arrival date of the "Jim "Moose" Carden's Kid's
Fishing Clinic" every year. The excitement on the kid's
face as you pick them up and put them in your boat, and the ecstatic
fun they have as they yell at you, "I GOT A BITE" or
"IT'S A BIG ONE!" brings as much excitement to me as
it does to them.
If you are ever fortunate enough to participate in such an
event as I have described, I can promise you everlasting satisfaction
and accomplishment. When the program finishes and a little kid
comes up to you and shakes your hand or hugs you real tight,
and says "Thank you for taking me fishing"..it really
is heart warming.
Sure, there will be times when you will be baiting their
hooks or "digging out" backlashs, or getting lines
unfastened from rocks, stumps and tree limbs, but you have to
remember...You and I had to start someplace and we didn't turn
out too bad ...did we?
If you or your local bass club are interested in conducting
such a program as I have described, I would be more than happy
to furnish you with information and advice. I can be contacted
at
bfields@netusa1.net
Good Luck and Good Fishing!
Bud Fields Pro-Staff
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