Published: July 20, 2009 09:46 pm         

Kids can fish for free on Saturday

For Bobby Nichols, there are few things better than an afternoon spent casting a rod into a quiet lake, feeling a nibble and wondering what he might be reeling in on the other end of that line.

His fishing memories are of good times he’s happy to recall because they were often spent with family ’ he passed the sport along to his children and grandchildren, who continue to enjoy time around the water in pursuit of a big catch.

’You never know just what you’re going to get on the other end of that line,’ Nichols said. ’I still have that thrill. You just don’t know, so it’s still a thrill to me to yank that fish in.’

Those memories are so good, in fact, Nichols and his fellow Conasauga Bass Club members want to make sure all area children have that opportunity, too.

Since its start six years ago, the Conasauga Bass Club’s annual kids fishing day has grown from some 50 or 60 participants to a record last year of 180 kids ’ plus about 130 adults who accompanied the young anglers ’ said Nichols, who coordinates the free event for the club.

’Some of them have never fished before,’ Nichols said. ’But they might pick it up from this one event and keep fishing the rest of their whole life.’

This year’s event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in northern Whitfield County. Participants can bring their own fishing gear, but fishing poles and bait will be available and club members will assist those children who need help fishing. Free food and drinks will be provided by the club as well and all children will receive a goody bag and certificate of participation and have their pictures taken with their catches before they’re released.

The FLW Outdoors-affiliated club, a non-profit organization that has around 35 members, goes a long way to make sure everyone enjoys themselves ’ 70 bass were added to the lake this year ’ and many members spend money out of their own pockets to make the event happen. The lake where the event is held is on property owned by former club member Ernest Lofty, whose involvement has gone a long way to make the kids fishing day a success, Nichols said.

’We’ve even got a member who paid for an ice cream truck to come out there,’ Nichols said. ’All of the kids got an ice cream.’

But while the freebies may be nice, Nichols believes the fish are what keep kids and their families coming back and help the event grow each year. That’s good news for Nichols, who’s glad to see children ’get off of the TV and video’ for a while.

He recalled the first year, when a smaller number of participants gave the club the opportunity to measure each fish reeled in. Even the smallest catch brought plenty of joy to the kids.

’They’d come running around that lake, going ’I got one,’’ Nichols said. ’It was the biggest thrill they ever had. It could be two inches long, but it was like a monster to them.’

Parents and grandparents typically fill out the crowd, which Nichols expects to be at least as big as last year’s. While the event is free, the club asks that those who have not registered do so as soon as possible by calling (706) 847-6973 or writing to [email protected].

’We’re doing this so the kids can get involved with fishing and their families can get out there in the outdoors,’ Nichols said. ’It might not be an experience they’ve ever had before ... but we want them to enjoy the whole four hours of it.’

Directions to the event: From I-75 North, take Exit 341. Go right, then turn left onto Lake Kathy Rd. Take the first left onto Oscar Nance Rd., then turn left at the next drive and look for the balloons.

     

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