CWA & Colorado B.A.S.S. Federation Kids Fishing Day Wrap Up
by Dave Kooser
I’m not sure who had more fun, the kids catching fish and getting some quality time on Pueblo Reservoir with seasoned volunteer tournament anglers or the volunteer anglers themselves tutoring and watching the kids. Regardless, the event went very well.
Ft. Carson rounded up 32 kids whose dad or mom was either actively deployed to Iraq or soon will be deployed and transported them to Pueblo on Saturday the 17th of June, 2006. Waiting at the North Shore Marina were volunteer anglers from the Colorado Walleye Association and the Colorado B.A.S.S. Federation. As the kids walked off the bus and saw the armada of boats pulled up to the shoreline, the smiles and excitement each of us has experienced in our earlier years were obvious on the kid’s faces. Mistakenly planned to be on Fathers Day Weekend, the event had special meaning to those volunteer anglers who were paired with a kid whose dad happened to be in Iraq at the time. Despite the event falling on Father’s Day weekend, we did not give up anything…in fact I believe we all gained. Said one little Ft. Carson Angler, “my dad has been in Iraq the last 2 Fathers Day’s but if he were here, he would take me fishing”.
Each kid was given an Eagle Claw rod and reel and a bag full of fishing equipment containing Mack’s Lures, Walleye Central jigs in addition to hats, coloring books, Chapstick, stickers, Bass Pro model cars, etc.
The catching of fish was uncharacteristically slow for Pueblo but a variety of fish were still hauled in by the young anglers including a 9.5lb. catfish, a 14lb. carp , a 15 inch bass and an 18.5 inch walleye. See the pictures.
A quote from one the mothers who attended the event with her two children:
Dear Dave and all of the volunteer fishermen,
My family and I want to thank you for the great day we had yesterday at
Pueblo Reservoir. I had been wanting to take my children fishing (12
and 8 years old), but was hesitant because I don't know what I'm doing
when it comes to getting the line ready and, especially, taking the
fish off the hook. With my husband deployed this summer, training most
of last summer, and deployed the summer before last, there hasn't been
much opportunity for my kids to learn how to fish. So, I appreciate
all of the planning, time, and caring all of you took to ensure that
our children had a great experience.
Sincerely,
Anne Hamilton
The event was covered by local media, the links to the articles:
The Chieftain
The Denver Post
The Colorado Walleye Association and the Colorado B.A.S.S. Federation would like to thank the sponsors of the event who made the dreams of these young anglers come true. These young anglers are the future of our sport/hobby and the contributions from these sponsors will not be forgotten by the kids and by the organizers of the event.
Thank you to:
- Ft. Carson GMH
- Ft. Carson MWR
- Bass Pro and Tracker Boats
- Eagle Claw
- Mack’s Lures
- Waste Management
- Walleye Central
- 103.5 the Fox
- Chapstick
- Colorado Fisherman
- Colorado State Parks
- Little Caesars Pizza
- Evinrude
- Gray Line Bus
- Berkley
- Road Runner Bait
