Web posted
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Annual fishing derby will aim to give kids a new hobby
By MATT PARCHER
Sports Editor
sports@arkcity.net
As the old Chinese proverb says, "Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime."
The founders and sponsors of the third annual Sgt. Jerry Mills Jr. fishing derby will aim to teach the youth of Arkansas City the basics of fishing and strive to set a foundation on which the kids can expand and enjoy in the future.
Although the weekend will be about the fishing, the event was contrived in the memory of Sgt. Jerry Mills Jr. who, to date is the only soldier from Arkansas City to die in the Iraq war.
The events will kick off at 6 p.m. on Friday with the fishing clinic -- a clinic set up to teach the children facts and techniques about fishing before they are allowed to exhibit their skills the following day -- at the Agri-business building.
The county health department will team up with the fishing derby sponsors to teach the participants everything from the dangers in nature to how to make their own lures.
"We'll have five or six stations set up," Bob Mathews -- a derby organizer -- said. "All the kids will go through the stations in groups."
Then from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday the main event -- the derby itself -- will take place at Veteran's Lake in Ark City.
"Veteran's Lake was dedicated back in 2007," Mathews said. "I was president of the Lion's Club and asked if we could change the name from the former, 6th Street Pond."
After the derby, fish will be served for lunch -- instead of the usual hot dogs and hamburgers -- to give kids a taste of the swimming game.
Mathews said, "We'll be serving actual fish for lunch this year so the kids will actually know what it tastes like."
The event organizers will also continue to carry on a tradition this year of giving each new participant a new fishing pole.
"We've been doing this for three years now," Mathews said. "Those who have participated before will need to bring their poles from previous years."
Last year over 100 kids turned up for the derby and all involved are hoping to have at least that many this year.
Several weeks ago when Mathews counted the entry forms already turned in, he reported that 45 had already signed up to attend.
Pre-registration for the derby is held at the Rec. Center for ages 5-15 yrs. with ages 5-8 yrs. being accompanied by a parent.
The registration fee is $5.
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