Fishing for kids, long post with many pictures

[David Waters]

(lots of pictures and posts, just bare with me)

well, the Shoals Area Crappie Association helped with the "Fishgin For Kids" event this year. This event takes underprivelidged and special needs children and adults fishing for a day and they make a tournament out of it.

I really didn't know exactly what I was getting into when I agreed to help, then got many SACA members to help as well. Each one of us was paired with a child or adult and we took them fishing for a couple of hours. Here is how the day started.

Here is the SACA boys at McFarland Park setting up tables, booths and getting things ready for the event this morning.

[David Waters]

TIm Horton, the bass fisherman was the guest Host for this event.

[David Waters]

Brad Whitehead was the person who put this whole thing together. Brad, this is by far the best thing you could have done for this community as far as fishing goes. This event is fantastic and actually makes a difference in peoples lives.

He got a lot of sponsors to put up a lot of prizes, trophies, free tackle a bait for everyone.

[David Waters]

Even some of my band kids came down and decided to help. They helped the kids with food, getting life jackets on and some of them even went fishing and helped bait hooks and cast.

[David Waters]

There were lots of volunteers. I would say about 300 people came together today to help out these kids and adults have a good day on the water

[David Waters]

This is Becky Rogers. She is form the Shoals Area and loves to fish. Her biggest fish up to today was a 3 pound catfish. We fished together and here is a bluegill she caught early in the tournament.

[David Waters]

Here is Becky and her fighting with the biggest fish she has ever seen!!! (according to her )

[David Waters]

Here is that monster with whiskers!!!

[David Waters]

Now, to the weigh in. SHe just new that she was going to have the biggest fish. Her best finish in 6 years was 6th place. ANd last year's winner was her arch rival Gina, who she didn't like at all. Lets see how it goes How much is it?

[David Waters]

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the 4th place winner in the Fishing for kids tournament, Miss Becky Rogers. Her she is posing with me, Brad, Tim Horton, and other fishermen helping out. That is her new biggest fish ever, a 4.35 pounds catfish. Guess what, Gina finished in 5th place.!!!