TU Kids’ Fishing Day this Saturday
The Coosa Valley chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold its annual Kids’ Fishing Day on Saturday at Rolater Park in Cave Spring. I am not positive, but this is most likely the 30th Kids’ Fishing Day that the chapter has put together for the kids of Northwest Georgia. Throughout the years there has been over 30,000 trout stocked in the pond and the creek for the kids to catch. This year, as usual, over a thousand fish will arrive for the kids.
Many of the kids that participated in the earliest TU Kids’ Fishing Days now have kids of their own and are bringing them with hopes that the cooler will have some tasty trout to be cleaned for the dinner table. These moms and dads may think that they are experts and coach the little ones. If the child needs help, we allow the parents or guardians to assist, but TU wants the kids to be the ones who actually catch the trout. Remember, this is Kids’ Fishing Day, not parents fishing day.
As I have stated in many of the KFD articles in years past, one of the most important things that a parent can do is to make sure that the child’s fishing tackle is in good condition and that you bring plenty of hooks, weights, bobbers and bait.
It can be very frustrating for a kid to get to the park and find out the reel is broken or the line is rotted or it is so old that the line looks like a slinky. Take some time several days before and check the rod, reel and line. Even if you go out and buy a brand new outfit check it out thoroughly, because almost all the kids fishing outfits are cheaply made and often sit in a warehouse for years before making it to the shelves of the fishing supply stores.
If the children are not “seasoned anglers,” go out in the yard with them and let them practice. Put a bobber and weight on the line and let them cast to a target and once they get comfortable casting pretend to be the fish on the end of the line. Pull the line and let the child get used to reeling. Reeling may be second nature to most adults, but a kid that has never used a rod and reel needs to learn before he or she goes fishing.
It is very important that the parents register the child before their fishing time begins. We will be giving out door prizes to the kids during the fishing periods. They must be registered to be eligible for a prize. Registering also entitles the kids to a coke and a hot dog. Registration begins at 8 a.m.
There are different times for each age group to fish in the pond Saturday: 3- and 4-year-olds fish from 9-9:30 a.m.; 5and 6-year-olds fish from 9:45-10:15 a.m.; 7-9-yearolds fish from 10:30-11 a.m.; and 10-12-year-olds fish from 11:15-11:45 a.m. All of the age groups can fish the pond from noon until 1 p.m. There is a five fish limit in the pond per child, and the state enforces an eight fish limit for the creek. The creek may be fished at any time by the children.
Remember that this day is for the kids and do your part to make it a great day for the kids. Don’t forget the bait, the rod and reel with good line on it and a cooler with ice for the fish. Ice is the “ONLY” way to assure that the fish will stay fresh and tasty for the night’s supper.
Veterans Fishing Day
The fifth annual Veterans Fishing Day will be July 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rolater Park in Cave Spring. It is open to any and all veterans.