Over 50 kids enjoy return of Kids’ Fishing Day
MOUNT PLEASANT – Kids Fishing Day at Rice Pavilion on Lake Wedowee was a big success last Wednesday. In spite of Mother Nature sending a deluge just an hour before the 3 p.m. start time, more than 50 children came out for what turned out to be a pleasant afternoon, reeling in hundreds of pounds of catfish.
“It’s understandable that we didn’t have as large a crowd as usual because of the heavy rain at lunchtime, but the kids and their parents who came out had a great time,” said Laura Krug of event host Lake Wedowee Property Owners Association.
“The fish were certainly cooperating!” she added as the crowd watched the “Most Fish” prize counting. Winner Daisy Duke of Clay County won with 34 catfish on her stringer. Three others had stringers of nearly 30 fish, so the association gave out four rod-and-reel prizes in the most fish category. Every young angler who came to fish went home with enough for a good meal.
Spencer Duke caught the biggest fish, a 2-pounder. Stormy Hartley got a prize for the first fish. Katie Edwards got a consolation prize for “the first fish that got away,” as she caught the first fish but was so excited getting it off the hook she lost it back into the water.
“It’s a fun family affair,” noted emcee Barry Morris of LWPOA. “It’s great to watch moms and dads and grandparents help the little ones learn to fish, to watch the excitement as a little girl lands her first fish ever; big brothers helping their younger brothers and sisters. This is about a lot more than just the fish.”
LWPOA received sponsoring donations from 37 area businesses. Krug emphasized that the event would not be the great success it is without such widespread community support. KFD was also helped by Alabama Department of Natural Resources that put the nets out in the cove, Randolph County Rescue Squad members who secured the nets to the bottom, and Randolph County Sheriff’s Office staff who cooked hot dogs for the crowd.
Businesses sponsoring KFD are Rice Pavilion, Ken Seiffert-State Farm Insurance and Bobber’s Grill at the platinum level. Gold sponsors are Buster Miles Chevrolet, Connally, Jordon and Assoc PC, Dr. Michael Edwards, First Bank of Alabama, H&M Drugs, Southeastern Realty and Auction Co., Lake Wedowee Winery, Lakeview Auto Service, Norton’s Flooring and Whispering Pines Farm.
Silver-level sponsors are Alabama Power, Benefield Funeral Home, Best Brands Plus Randolph County Appliance, Boondocks BBQ and Creamery, Crouch Team Realty, First Light Coffee, First State Bank, KBW Accounting, Mike Browning, Pat and Tom Lettieri, Olde Waters Inn at Wedowee, Perryland Grocery, Re/Max Lakefront, Re/Max Results, Southern States Bank, Speed-N-Sport Marine, Split Ends, Superior Pest Control, Wedowee Building Supply and Wedowee Landscape.
Other sponsors are Lake Wedowee Docks, Bonner Heat and Air, Meadows Farm Equipment and Pat’s Barber Shop
