Kids enjoy fishing with Dad, Big Brothers

June 9, 2005 1:09 am

IWOULD LIKE TO SEE what it's like to fish. Mom would love it too. She would get peace and quiet if we were gone for a weekend " --Liam Chapin, 9, Fredericksburg

"I want to take my dad fishing because he is constantly helping someone, he encourages us to follow our dreams, and he believes in and takes part in our education. Someday I hope to be like my dad." --Mandy Byrd, 10, Fredericksburg

It's always tough picking the winning entries in the annual "Why I Want to Take My Dad Fishing for Father's Day Contest," and the panel of judges carefully read the many diverse letters from children throughout the region. We just wish there were enough fishing trips and rods and reels so that everyone who entered could win one.

This year we did have a great selection of trips and prizes. The cash equivalent of all prizes together would be nearly $2,000.

Winners have been notified by telephone. All children who entered qualify for an honorable mention prize packet, which is available for pickup Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Free Lance-Star's main office at 616 Amelia Street.

Simply stop by the paper and let them know you're there to collect your prize. The names of all children entering and the prizewinners have been posted at the business office. Prizes will be available at the paper until July 1. Unclaimed prizes will be forfeited and saved for next year.

Entries will appear in the July 9 issue of Town & County magazine.

Judges noted youngsters who appeared to have devoted a little extra effort, expressed sincere sentiment and exhibited creativity.

Five winners and their dads will be fishing the Chesapeake Bay with Capt. Ryan Rogers, aboard the Midnight Sun, based out of Smith Point Marina near Reedville. Anyone wanting to book a trip with Capt. Rogers can get more information online at chesapeake-fishing.com/ midnightsun or by calling 804/453-5812.

Other winners are fishing with professional guides Glenn Briggs, Dave Fauntleroy, Capt. Steve Chaconas and Capt. Tony Harding. Also hosting is Maxie Rozell who isn't a fishing guide, but has a great boat and loads of experience, and volunteered his time to support this contest. Any regional fishing guides who would like to participate in sponsoring winners for future contests should contact me. See contact information at the end of this column.

Chaconas is also an outdoor writer and has a radio show in Washington. You can reach him at nationalbass.com or by calling 703/360-3472.

Briggs is a Bass Pro Shops pro staffer. Call him at 540/895-5307 or visit online at lakeanna-va .com/briggs.htm.

Fauntleroy manages the National Bass tournaments on both the Potomac River and Lake Anna. You can reach him at 540/840-6772.

Harding of Latitudes Charters is a light-tackle specialist who fishes throughout the region. You can see more about Latitudes Charters at flyfishtidalva.com or call Harding at 540/582-6396.

Coverage of this year's trips, along with excerpts from winning letters is scheduled for publication July 9 in a special section of The Free Lance-Star's weekly Town & County magazine.

Other winners are getting some great rods and reels donated by Gander Mountain on Plank Road in Spotsylvania and longtime contest sponsor Pure Fishing and its companies Berkley and Mitchell, which supplied a dozen complete rod and reel fishing packages, caps, bait and more. Special fishing accessory packages were also awarded.

Call 800/BERKLEY or visit berkley-fishing.com. Call 877-336-7637 or see fishmitchell.com for more details.

Thanks and congratulations to all the children (and their families) who entered this year's contest. Many children write about the enduring memories they make spending time in the outdoors with their family. Their letters bring home the importance of building family traditions and sharing experiences.

Partnership benefits youth

Speaking of sharing experiences, some 50 Fredericksburg-area children lined the banks of Kevin and Georgeanne Jones' pond in southern Stafford County Saturday, hoping to entice one of the more than 350 trout that had been stocked in the deep waters just the day before.

The event resulted from a generous partnership between the Fredericksburg Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The main beneficiaries were the participants in the Rappahannock Big Brothers Big Sisters program, a wonderful organization that matches caring adults with children who could use an older role model for mentorship and friendship.

The NWTF bought the trout and RMEF bought the fishing equipment, which the children were allowed to keep after the event. Lenny's Restaurant in Colonial Beach provided the food, while Rosehaven Stables offered the popular pony rides. Volunteers from the Happy to Be Here Dove Club shared fishing expertise.

Richard Rose, one of the principal organizers of the Trout Fishing Day, said: "You can have everything in the world, but if you don't have anybody to share it with, you've got nothing--we need to share what we know, especially with the kids."

Alton Fowler, 12, beamed after landing a big rainbow trout as his Big Brother, Steve Bressette, looked on. Alton said: "Being able to hang out with my big brother and fish--that's my favorite thing to do."

Kim Poore, 7, granddaughter of Gary Sullivan, one of the hosts for the event, caught the first trout of the day on a tiny SpongeBob rod and reel. She said, with a broad grin, that it was her first time fishing--and exciting.

Rappahannock Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director Lisa Bales said: "We have a good turnout, with well more than 40 mentors and children from our school-based and community-based programs present.

"Apparently, [NWTF and RMEF] are really good about giving back to the community, and that certainly means a lot to us," Bales added.

For more on the Big Brothers Big Sisters program see rbbbbs .org or call 540/371-7444.

KEN PERROTTE can be reached at The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia Street, Fredericksburg, Va. 22401, by fax at 373-8455 or e-mail at kmunicate@aol.com.