Katfishin Kids – Just Don’t Get Any Better By Bernard Williams, Magnolia Crappie Club

This past Saturday, June 6^th, I got a chance to participate in the annual Katfishin Kids event sponsored by The MS Wildlife Federation and MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. This is a free event to children age 15 and under; it teaches them all about fishing and other wildlife animals including snakes.

Magnolia Crappie Club members come out each year to lend a helping hand with these little ones. It’s one of our favorite community service events. I rank seeing a kid catch their 1^st fish up there with winning a tournament or catching that elusive 3 pound crappie. I can’t explain the pleasure it gives you seeing the expression on their faces.

This event teaches kids how to tie a knot, select the correct lure, bait hooks, and cast. In addition, they learn what a fish is and become familiar with fish habitat. The DWFP stocked their nearly 2 acre pond with over 5,000 catfish from 2 to 4 pounds; they also provide everything the kids need to fish with: poles, hooks, bobbers, bait and bags to keep their fish. I’ve seen some of the same kids return each year. For some of them it’s the only time they get to fish or catch a fish during the year.

Walmart employees help man the poles, booths and they provide some of the equipment including hooks, bobbers and bait. They’re great people to work with. They make sure the kids get their snacks and beverages while fishing. The organization behind this event is great. Melanie Starnes with the MS Wildlife Museum is instrumental in making sure all bases are covered; my hats off to her and her staff.

I can’t forget one little girl about 5 years old that was so excited about the prospect of catching her 1^st fish; I baited her hook, pitched it in the pond and gave her the pole. Within 3 minutes the bobber starts to swim away. I told her to pull in the fish; she uses all her might to turn the fish and bring it in. When the fish reaches the top of the water, she sees it and immediately screams and starts crying. She then tosses the cane pole with the fish still on it in the water and takes off running. That catfish scared the life out of her.

The pole and fish floats around in the center of the pond all day. That was classic; Hollywood couldn’t have scripted it any better. I wished a thousand times I could have had that on video.

Another occasion I had this little 4 year old boy that pulls in a catfish and immediately wets his pants. I guess he could not stand the excitement. These kids are special and dear to my heart. I take part in this event each year because I firmly believe if we teach them to fish we feed them for a lifetime. It’s something they never forget.

I got a chance to meet two girls and their brother that moved to MS from New York. They were such respectable kids. They loved fishing, knew a lot about catching fish and best of all they believed in catch and release. To see kids 8, 10 and 12 releasing their fish shows a lot of character. We all could learn something from these young ones.

I urge each of my readers to find and take part in these types of events. If you can’t find one near you; plan your own. There are plenty of organizations that will help you sponsor kids fishing events. Mark your calendar for the 1^st Saturday in June of next year to attend this event. They have plenty of volunteer opportunities; group leaders, parking/traffic directors, face painting, fishing, tackle, or registration table workers. I can promise you it will be fulfilling, gratifying and enjoyable.