Kids get hooked on fishing at Doornbos Park
Published 4:57 pm Saturday, February 17, 2018
NEDERLAND — Kaiden McMullan knew just the right bait to snag a rainbow trout on Saturday.
The nine-year-old had the traditional sweet canned corn ready but a tip and a change of bait helped him catch one of the 500 rainbow trout that were recently stocked at Doornbos Park Pond.
“Marshmallows work apparently,” he said as his mom Shari Washburn snapped some photos before heading to the check-in area during the 17th annual Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs event sponsored by the Nederland Rotary Club.
Washburn was right in the middle of it baiting hooks and unhooking caught fish. This was the family’s first time to take part in the event.
Not long before Kaiden landed his catch Kynsie McMullan, 7, earned the distinction of the first girl to catch a fish that morning.
The fishing started at 9 a.m. with some anglers arriving a few minutes after the first cast. By 9:20 a.m. there were 100 kids circled around the pond.
“This is a great outdoors activity and a good wholesome activity, Debbie Spittler, chairperson of the event, said. Spittler was thankful for the sponsors of the event, some of which included BASF, Walmart and Academy. Nederland police and fire departments, Acadian Ambulance and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office were also on hand allowing kids a chance to see emergency vehicles up close.
The fishing event was open to children up to age 14. After each fish was caught it was brought to a check-in area where it was weighed and a tally was kept. Prizes were awarded to the top anglers.