The Bankhead National Forest held the 24th annual “Kids Fishing Derby” on Saturday, June 4 in celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week. The Forest Service, which hosts the yearly event to help interest young people in wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation, stocked a pond with about 400 pounds of catfish and invited area youngsters to try their luck. The highlight of this year’s Derby was the National Wild Turkey Federation’s “Jakes Take Aim” Shooting Booth. All children received a free membership to the NWTF’s Jakes club and a fishing derby t-shirt complements of the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association.
Forty-nine children (with accompanying adults) from surrounding counties came to the Black Warrior Work Center on the Bankhead National Forest to compete for trophies in three age categories. Contestants fished for approximately 1 ½ hours and the winners in each age group were decided by measuring the longest fish caught by each individual.
The largest fish overall was caught by Brooks Kachelman of Florence.
In the 5-6 year old age group, Brice Gilliland of Moulton took the first place trophy. Tori Walker of Ralph, AL captured second place.
A.C. Holcomb of Double Springs won the first place trophy in the 7 - 9 year old group. Tanner Garcia of Double Springs and Ella Adair of Houston won second place.
In the 10 – 12 year old category, Brody Massey of Double Springs took the first place trophy. Austin Henley of Trinity and Tylie Romero of Houston took second place.
In addition to the fishing competition, a casting contest was held in which Slade Riddle of Addison won in the 5 – 6 year old division; Wriley Ritch of Danville won in the 7 – 9 year old division; and Zane Kenum of Danville won the 10 – 12 year old division. All three received a new rod and reel and tackle box as their prize.
The Derby concluded with drawing for door prizes, awarding of trophies to contest winners and a hotdog lunch. This year’s event was funded by a grant to the Winston County Natural Resources Council from the Winston County Commission, a grant from the National Wild Turkey Federation, and the US Forest Service. Sponsors of the 2016 Kids Fishing Derby include the Double Springs Lions Club, the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Sipsey Strutters Moulton Chapter and Bankhead Beards and Spurs Winston County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association, Winston County Natural Resource Council, and the Bankhead National Forest.
A big “THANK YOU” from Smokey Bear to everyone who continue to help make the Kids Fishing Derby a great success.
