It was, without question, the best of all worlds - kids, families, fishing and food. The perfect cure all for what sometimes seems like a disgruntled world. Physical proof the majority of people are still good. Before the first wisps of daylight a small army gathered at the Kokomo Reservoir to prepare for this year’s 33rd annual Jim “Moose” Carden Kids Fishing Clinic graduation tournament. The event was the culmination of two weeks of classes where 130 children put their newfound knowledge to the piscatorial test. None of it would have been possible without the City of Kokomo, Ivy Tech, Coca-Cola, SRS Inc., First Farmers Bank, Kokomo Tribune, UAW Local 685, Booster Club of Kokomo, Adams Auto Group, IMI, Booster Club of Kokomo and Zebco. The smell of outboard motors mixed with the freshness of dawn as the 65 boat captains eased their watercrafts on the banks of the 464-acre Kokomo Reservoir. Their intentions were to create lifetime memories for their precious cargo and of course catch a few fish. It is the boat captains who donate their valuable time and equipment who sit at the spiritual center of the long time youth program. The kids were armed with their own rods and reels and an assortment of bait provided by brothers Don and Ron Swope. If the fish weren’t nervous they should have been. Anticipation was at a fevered pitch as the caring boat captains eased away from the banks with their graduates. But one thing was missing. There were no tantrum type people and rude bleacher loudmouths who get caught up in the famous word “win”, which at times has severed friendships and created wars. This contest is different. Absent were the rants and complaints that too often accompany youthful mishaps. “What a blessing this is for everyone involved,” said Jenny Martindale, who stopped by to view the graduation event for her first time. At the end of the three hour tournament kids in brightly colored shirts, provided by First Farmers Bank, swarmed the weigh in holding their bags of freshly caught fish. Jeff and Terri Rude of the Hoosier Open Tournament series did a magnificent job of tallying everyone’s catch while making the young graduates feel important. As it should be since children are our nation’s number one natural resource. With weigh-in complete it was learned the kids brought in a total of 179 assorted fish weighing 154 pounds. Dillon Gorham won the 6-8 age group with two fish weighing 8.17 pounds. He was guided to success by longtime boat captain Jim Baker. “Where did you catch them,” someone asked. “In the mouth,” was his quick witted answer. A response you would expect from a secretive fisherman. Who says the kids didn’t learn well? Boat captain Jeff Fager (L.) and his first mate Ty Kendall flank overall winner Macy Hastings and her prize winning catch.
Kids catch more than fish at Kokomo tourney
Kids catch more than fish at Kokomo tourney
Kids catch more than fish at Kokomo tourney
It was, without question, the best of all worlds - kids, families, fishing and food. The perfect cure all for what sometimes seems like a disgruntled world. Physical proof the majority of people are still good. Before the first wisps of daylight a small army gathered at the Kokomo Reservoir to prepare for this year’s 33rd annual Jim “Moose” Carden Kids Fishing Clinic graduation tournament. The event was the culmination of two weeks of classes where 130 children put their newfound knowledge to the piscatorial test. None of it would have been possible without the City of Kokomo, Ivy Tech, Coca-Cola, SRS Inc., First Farmers Bank, Kokomo Tribune, UAW Local 685, Booster Club of Kokomo, Adams Auto Group, IMI, Booster Club of Kokomo and Zebco. The smell of outboard motors mixed with the freshness of dawn as the 65 boat captains eased their watercrafts on the banks of the 464-acre Kokomo Reservoir. Their intentions were to create lifetime memories for their precious cargo and of course catch a few fish. It is the boat captains who donate their valuable time and equipment who sit at the spiritual center of the long time youth program. The kids were armed with their own rods and reels and an assortment of bait provided by brothers Don and Ron Swope. If the fish weren’t nervous they should have been. Anticipation was at a fevered pitch as the caring boat captains eased away from the banks with their graduates. But one thing was missing. There were no tantrum type people and rude bleacher loudmouths who get caught up in the famous word “win”, which at times has severed friendships and created wars. This contest is different. Absent were the rants and complaints that too often accompany youthful mishaps. “What a blessing this is for everyone involved,” said Jenny Martindale, who stopped by to view the graduation event for her first time. At the end of the three hour tournament kids in brightly colored shirts, provided by First Farmers Bank, swarmed the weigh in holding their bags of freshly caught fish. Jeff and Terri Rude of the Hoosier Open Tournament series did a magnificent job of tallying everyone’s catch while making the young graduates feel important. As it should be since children are our nation’s number one natural resource. With weigh-in complete it was learned the kids brought in a total of 179 assorted fish weighing 154 pounds. Dillon Gorham won the 6-8 age group with two fish weighing 8.17 pounds. He was guided to success by longtime boat captain Jim Baker. “Where did you catch them,” someone asked. “In the mouth,” was his quick witted answer. A response you would expect from a secretive fisherman. Who says the kids didn’t learn well? Boat captain Jeff Fager (L.) and his first mate Ty Kendall flank overall winner Macy Hastings and her prize winning catch.