Fishing Derby Brings In Anglers

AVON PARK - Maybe the fish won't think so, but there's something life affirming about watching moms and dads teaching their children how to bait a hook, cast a rod, watch a bobber and reel in a catch.

And that's what happened Saturday at the Avon Park Air Force Range, in the wilds of northeast Highlands County.

There was Wayne Hudson, watching a white plastic bobber in a pond. Ezra, 5, was looking too, but he moved the rod each time.

"Not yet," Hudson counseled. He was waiting for the cork to be dragged under the water, a sign the fish had taken the worm in its mouth. That's when Ezra would want to jerk the rod just a little and set the hook.

"I'm glad I got to spend time with my boys," said Hudson, whose wife and tiny daughters were on the beach behind him.

For the fourth annual Kids' Fishing Derby, Paul Ebersbach stocked the ponds with fingerling catfish and bass. At least 60 children and their parents came Saturday to see if they could catch one.

Across the one-acre pond, Scott Deese pulled up an underwater basket of fish his six children had caught. "She's the only one who's caught a catfish," Deese said, referring to little Chelsea, 4.

"I caught three," Chelsea kept repeating, holding up, well, several fingers.

"We camped out here last night," said her mother, Glenda. Was that fun?

"I don't know. I went to sleep. But they roasted marshmallows and played. When I woke up this morning, they were filthy," she said.

On Saturday afternoon, the kids with the biggest fish and the most fish, and the youngest boy and girl would be awarded prizes, 12 trophies, rods and reels, and gift cards from Bass Pro. Free hot dogs and drinks were provided by Avon Park Breakfast Rotary and Avon Park Air Force Range members.

More info: 452-4119, 452-4254, or hunting@avonpark.macdill.af.mil