theview
June/July 2016
.com
Page 7
GONE FISHIN’
Kids “Reel ‘Em In” at Annual Lakeland Fishing Rodeo
Story and Photos by Kim Odom, City of Lakeland
Nine-year-old Brody Woodall watched his bobber as it began to sprinkle at the annual Fishing Rodeo in Lakeland.
The on and off again
showers that settled over
International Harvester Managerial Park in Lakeland
early Saturday didn’t intimidate more than 100 young
anglers looking to catch a big
one at the annual Fishing
Rodeo presented by the Park
and Recreation Department
for those ages 4-12.
The fishing rodeo started
at promptly 8 a.m. The moment the bait first hit the
water of the 5-acre lake
stocked with 800-pounds of
catfish just two days early,
the fish began taking the bait
under.
Eleven-year-old
Carter Hein, kicked things
off by catching the first fish
caught by a boy in what
Aiden Gnapp, 12, found
a hotspot at the fishing
rodeo, reeling in a total
of 15 catfish by the end
of the competition.
Andy Tweed (left) with the TWRA measured the
fish to declare a winner of the Biggest Fish
Caught for the day.
seemed like a matter of seconds. The competition was
on…
In less than 30-minutes as
it continued to sprinkle, Aiden Gnapp, 12, had caught
five bragging-size catfish.
Gnapp who was fishing with
chicken livers reeled in 15
for the day.
Gnapp could have been in
a hotspot, but he wasn’t the
only one bringing them in.
Stringers and stringers of
catfish were spotted around
the lake. Those of all ages
were catching fish left and
right. None more excited
more than four-year-old
Avery Simons, who could be
heard throughout the park as
she let out a high itched
squeal when she caught her
one and only catch of the
day.
Two hours later, as the
rodeo came to an end the
stringers were counted to see
who would earn a trophy for
the Most Fish Caught (Girl)
and Most Fish Caught (Boy).
The biggest fish were measured to determine the Biggest
Fish Caught trophy winner.
Hundreds of pounds of catfish were measured before
Andy Tweed, wildlife enforcement officer with the
Tennessee Wildlife Re-
sources Agency, announced
Hadley Herron, 4, and Leo
Kimery, 6, the winners for
catching the most fish in the
girl and boy category.
Tweed declared a tie for
the Biggest Fish Caught category. Charles Triplett, 7, and
Jackson Brown, 6, shared the
honors with each of their
catfish measuring in at 19inches. Both young men received a trophy for their efforts.
Nine-year-old
Brody
Woodall won a Zebco 202
for the closest guess of the
“How Many Fish In Jar”
contest. There were 966 Gold
Fish crackers in a jar. The
Arlington Middle School
student guessed there were
967 in the jar.
These young anglers
weren’t the only winners of
the day. The first girl and
first boy in each timed fishing session was awarded a
prize. There were also handy
fishing-related ticket drawing
giveaways throughout the
event. Every youth participant received a goody bag
upon entry provided by the
TWRA. Between all the fish
caught and all the prizes given away, no child went home
empty handed.
“I am thrilled to see citi-
The Biggest Fish Caught was declared a tie by
Andy Tweed with the TWRA. Charles Triplett, 7,
and Jackson Brown, 6, each caught fish
measuring 19-inches.
zens enjoying themselves,”
said Commissioner Michele
Dial, who attended the Lakeland Fishing Rodeo for the
first time on Saturday. “Even
in the rain, everyone is having a great time pulling in
fish after fish,” Dial added.
“IH Park has so much to
offer and I'm looking forward to many more successful events here like this one.”
Isabella Stuart, 8, took home a
mess of fish from the annual
fishing rodeo.