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COLDWATER, MI — Few bites and smaller fish marked the June 13 “Take A Kid Fishing” day this year, headquartered at Waterworks Park.
Founder of the event, Phil Smathers, said, “Today was as tough in 41 years as it's ever been in my opinion.”
Kids still fished.
Over 50 signed up and received a rod and reel, plus a gift bag containing bobbers and live worms.
Pre-COVID-19, organizer Tammy Vaughn said there would be nearly 100 kids fishing.
Smathers said, still, the adults with their kids had a good time, baiting hooks, casting into the Sauk River, and seeing what they could pull out.
Construction at Rotary Park forced this year's move to Wasterworks Park, which has a shallow, rocky river.
Wren Skidmore was as excited as his brother Sylus when he hooked a crayfish.
The crayfish didn't qualify for the tournament. “That’s fish food,” Smathers said.
Parents Lance and Abigail Skidmore said they take their sons fishing.
“It’s a lot of fun as they grow older,” the dad said. “I think last year I spent all my time hooking worms."
Smathers said that due to post-spawn conditions, strong winds, and off-colored water at 76 degrees, the fish were uncooperative. Still, there were catches and winners.
When Smathers helped found the local Bass Unlimited Club 41 years ago, the group decided on the event to foster interest in fishing among children and families. In the 1990s, the club shifted toward tournament fishing.
The "Take a Kid Fishing" is always the Saturday of Michigan’s free fishing weekend, with no licenses required.
Vaughn began organizing the event in 2006. She collects sponsors to buy the fishing gear, prizes, and gift bags.
That includes grilled hot dogs and soft drinks as the fish are weighed at noon.
She said the Coldwater Lake Association is a significant sponsor and essential to the event's continuation.
“We do this for the kids,” Vaughn said.
Subscribe: Follow this story. Subscribe to the Coldwater Reporter.
Contact Don Reid, [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: “Take A Kid Fishing” day last Saturday at Waterworks Park in Coldwater, Mi
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Founder of the event, Phil Smathers, said, “Today was as tough in 41 years as it's ever been in my opinion.”
Kids still fished.
Over 50 signed up and received a rod and reel, plus a gift bag containing bobbers and live worms.
Pre-COVID-19, organizer Tammy Vaughn said there would be nearly 100 kids fishing.
Smathers said, still, the adults with their kids had a good time, baiting hooks, casting into the Sauk River, and seeing what they could pull out.
Construction at Rotary Park forced this year's move to Wasterworks Park, which has a shallow, rocky river.
Wren Skidmore was as excited as his brother Sylus when he hooked a crayfish.
You must be registered for see images attach
The crayfish didn't qualify for the tournament. “That’s fish food,” Smathers said.
Parents Lance and Abigail Skidmore said they take their sons fishing.
“It’s a lot of fun as they grow older,” the dad said. “I think last year I spent all my time hooking worms."
Smathers said that due to post-spawn conditions, strong winds, and off-colored water at 76 degrees, the fish were uncooperative. Still, there were catches and winners.
Boat category at Craig Lake
- Krew Rodriguez, 1st place Blue Gill weighing 0.29 oz.
- Romeo Rodriguez, 2nd place, Blue Gill weighing 0.27 oz.
- Scarlett Gulick, 3rd place, Blue Gill weighing 0.16 oz.
Shore Category at Waterworks Park
- Kash Morris, 1st place Blue Gill weighing 0.30 oz.
- Cayden Combs, 2nd place, Blue Gill weighing 0.11 oz.
- Kash Morris, 1st place, All Other Fish weighing 0.57 oz.
- Luke Morris, 2nd place, All Other Fish weighing 0.55 oz.
- Warren Binkowski, 3rd place, All Other Fish weighing 0.46 oz.
You must be registered for see images attach
When Smathers helped found the local Bass Unlimited Club 41 years ago, the group decided on the event to foster interest in fishing among children and families. In the 1990s, the club shifted toward tournament fishing.
The "Take a Kid Fishing" is always the Saturday of Michigan’s free fishing weekend, with no licenses required.
Vaughn began organizing the event in 2006. She collects sponsors to buy the fishing gear, prizes, and gift bags.
That includes grilled hot dogs and soft drinks as the fish are weighed at noon.
She said the Coldwater Lake Association is a significant sponsor and essential to the event's continuation.
“We do this for the kids,” Vaughn said.
Subscribe: Follow this story. Subscribe to the Coldwater Reporter.
Contact Don Reid, [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: “Take A Kid Fishing” day last Saturday at Waterworks Park in Coldwater, Mi
Continue reading...
