THE SPORTS DESK
Ken Perrotte’s Outdoors Column: Youngsters get the call to take dad fishing
One of my favorite days each year is the day I start calling the winners of the annual Take Dad Fishing for Father’s Day Contest.
Judging results are in from this 14th year of the contest. Twelve winning youngsters were among the many who put pen or pencil to paper to write out just why their dad (or another special person) deserves a special day on the water with them.
I wish I could bottle that positive energy received from the young voices on the other end of the line when they’re notified they have won a fishing trip and share it with anyone who may be having a bad day.
For example, I’m not sure who was more excited—Natima Schuler, who won a trip for her Uncle Bobby, or her older sister Dellarisse, who first answered the phone.
I guess the lesson learned, again, is make someone’s day and it’ll also make your day.
The entries flowed in slowly this year until the final week before deadline. The judging panel always has a tough time selecting winners.
What carried the day for most of the winning entries, especially for the older children, is that the children took full advantage of having up to 250 words to explain why their special person deserved a fishing trip. Some of the letter writers may have well-deserving dads, but the judges needed to see more than a few sentences.
Younger children, who often don’t have the same way with words always get “style points” when they add a nice drawing to the letter.
Finally, sadly, two well-written letters did not contain contact information. We need to know how to reach you! Others were typed, although the contest specifies handwritten, and did not contain age information.
A list of the winners of the 14th Annual Take Dad Fishing for Father’s Day Contest is in the accompanying box. Thanks to all children who entered. I hope all kids, dads, granddads and uncles have a wonderful Father’s Day.
Here are the contest winners:
Chesapeake Bay Fishing on the Midnight Sun with Capt. Ryan Rogers:
Other regional trips:
Honorable Mention (no prizes awarded)
FREE FISHING WEEKEND
People can fish with a rod and reel in Virginia’s freshwater or saltwater without a license this weekend from Friday through Sunday.
“I hope everyone takes advantage of free fishing days,” said Jack G. Travelstead, head of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the agency that manages the state’s saltwater fisheries. “We work hard to create and maintain sustainable fisheries and to conserve the fisheries habitat so that anglers have good chances of landing some fish.
This is what our conservation efforts are all about.”
The state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries notes that free fishing will be allowed in all of the state’s freshwaters except designated stocked trout waters.
Fishing licenses cost only $17.50 a year for state residents. The money supports valuable fisheries work across the state.
While the fishing may be free, anglers must follow any regulations, including those that outline fish size minimums and maximums, seasons, catch limits and gear restrictions.
For saltwater regulations, see mrc.virginia.gov/regulations/swrecfishing rules.shtm. To purchase a fishing license online and for freshwater fishing regulations and information on Virginia lakes, rivers, boating access and more, go to HuntFishVA.com.
MOTTS KIDS DERBY
The weekend forecast is looking good for Saturday’s annual Kids’ Fishing Derby at the Motts Run Reservoir. The event always draws a crowd, so arrive early, stake out a favorite spot and get registered to let the youngsters work some fishing magic with the reservoir’s finned denizens.
The derby is open to youngsters ages 4–16. Registration runs from 7:30–10:30 a.m., but the fishing derby begins at 9 and ends at noon. The early worms will get the fish—to twist an old saying. The rain date is June 3.
Motts Run Reservoir is at 6600 River Road in Fredericksburg. The organizers always have a bounty of door prizes, trophies, and games. Kids and adults always seem to have a wonderful day in Motts’ beautiful setting. Registrants even get a free lunch, said Linda Bailey of the Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation Department, which sponsors the derby along with the Weekend Bassers.
For more information, give Bailey a call at 372-1086, Ext. 213, or email her at lbailey
@fredericksburgva.gov.
Ken Perrotte can be reached at The Free Lance–Star, 616 Amelia Street, Fredericksburg, Va. 22401, by fax at 373-8455 or email at outdoors@freelancestar.com.
