Take-A-Kid-Fishing

As part of national Take-a-Kid-Fishing week, the Fairfield Harbour Fishing Club hosted its second annual event on Saturday, June 14, 2008. This year twenty five boys and girls from the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization went fishing on 20 boats belonging to club members and all received new Daiwa fishing rods and reels which were provided by Daiwa through the efforts of Donald Willis Jr. the owner of Custom Marine  on Rt. 70.

The entire group met at 8:00 at the Community Center to check in, get preliminary instructions and to be assigned to a boat and Captain.

The captains and mates arrived early to wait for the kids.

Checking in begins.

Larry Jones and Bob Bruggeworth greet Johneiquel Smith-Griffen
from the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization

A continental breakfast was provided and everyone was given a t-shirt commemorating the event before leaving to fish.

Joe arrived early and set up the continental breakfast area.

Never, ever, fish on an empty stomach.

Three of the captains conferred with  Donald Willis Jr. before heading out.
Donald himself mated on one of the boats.

 Following breakfast, all of the young anglers along with their Big Brothers and  Big Sisters went with their Captains to their boat for the day.  Everyone fished from 9:00 to 11:30.

After fishing, the entire group met at Red Sail Park for a BBQ and chicken lunch.

Dan explained his method of choosing tables.

Following lunch, Dan Thallman and Larry Knapp were joined by Johneiquel Smith-Griffen from the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization to award fishing trophies and prizes.  Names were drawn randomly and every youngster was given both a trophy and the opportunity to pick a tackle box from a prize table.

He's picking his box . . .

. . . and getting his trophy.

Bob Bruggeworth explained the one very special prize that might also be selected: an all expenses paid fishing trip with well-known Captain Gary Dubiel of Spec Fever Fishing Guide Service out of Oriental.

I'm going fishing with Gary!!