LWPOA announces end of Kids Fishing Day

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by Laura Krug
Forty years ago, the Lake Wedowee Property Owners Association was created. A group of concerned property owners saw a need and established itself in order to ensure our beautiful lake was safe, clean, and also promoted as a fun place for activities to be enjoyed by all.

One of the biggest and most fun activities each year has been Kid’s Fishing Day (once referred to as a Derby), and has occurred on the last day of school in Randolph and surrounding counties. All kids under 16 were invited to bring their poles and come out to the beautiful Rice Pavilion to catch as many catfish as possible! And, with the exception of two years due to Covid, this happy event has occurred every year for the past 40 years.

Sadly, this year we are having to bring Kid’s Fishing Day to an end. This decision was unavoidable.

Each year, the Fisheries Division of the Department of Natural Resources in Eastabooga has graciously supplied us, at no charge, the nets to contain the fish. These nets have run their course and are no longer usable. And unfortunately, their budget cannot provide for cost of replacement. To rebuild, store and transfer these nets for annual usage runs into the thousands of dollars that simply aren’t available to them or us.

It’s been my honor to have served as the organizer of this event for the past three years. And I want to thank all of our local vendors who graciously supported this event throughout the years. You made it possible to buy the catfish, prizes, T-shirts, hot dogs and so much more. Thanks also goes to Alabama Power for their continued support.

Also, a big shout out to the Rice family, who’ve allowed us to use their beautiful lakeside pavilion all these years. And, to the Sheriff’s department who sent their very best to cook the mountain of hot dogs for the busy anglers. And let’s not forget the Rescue Squad who provided the divers to secure the nets to the lake bottom.

We also could not have done it without the many volunteers who happily came to play their part in the fun! The list would be two pages long if I started to name names, but y’all know who you are! I imagine you’ll never have to cut up that much raw liver again in your whole life, either!
Again, many thanks, appreciation and love to all who have made this event possible throughout the years. And let’s not forget all the great kids who joined in the fun, and the family memories that have been made. I loved hearing your stories of how you came as a kid, and then brought your kids to carry on the tradition. Keep fishing please!