BY KADIE VICK
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
VALLEY — The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce is holding its third annual Kids Fishing Rodeo at Hardley Creek Park on Saturday, June 7. Registration is from 8:30 to 9 a.m. EST and fishing begins at 9:30 a.m.
Executive Director of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce Carrie Wood said, “This event is for kids 12 and under, and all the kids must be accompanied by an adult at all times. There should not be any adults fishing, other than helping the smaller ones cast; other than that, the kids should be fishing on their own.”
There is no cost for participating in the Kids Fishing Rodeo. At registration each child will receive a ticket that they can use for lunch and tackle. Additional pizza, for parents and guardians, can be purchased as well.
“Johnny’s Pizza will be there to provide lunch, and then Bluffton Bait and Tackle will provide bait for each participating child,” said Wood. “It cuts down on the cost for parents who don’t have to worry about bringing lunch or bait. They do have to bring their own fishing pole, but other than that, that’s all they will need.”
A small number of fish will be tagged before the event, making them prized fish that children receive cash for catching. Children are able to take home any fish that they catch.
“The first year we held this event, there were five fish tagged, and only two were caught, and the same young gentleman caught both of them,” Wood said. “So, he walked away with $200. It was pretty amazing.”
Wood said she believes this event is creating intergenerational hobbies and important connections between the children that attend and their parents, and the children that attend and their future children.
“I think it’s important that we offer things for our youth that get them outside,” she said. “Fishing can be a hobby, but it can also be a job. You never know where our next fishing pro is going to come from. This event can help start a hobby young, or give the children something to do as they grow older and start their own family.”
Community response to this event has been positive according to Wood, with the number of children fishing growing every year. She said she is thankful for partnerships with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that have allowed the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce to hold this event.
“This event is giving the kids in our community something positive to do,” Wood said. “Our numbers almost tripled from the first year we hosted to the second year.”
Wood said watching the Kids Fishing Rodeo is a reflection of her work and investment in the community.
“It’s absolutely heartwarming to watch those kids get to fight and reel the fish in time after time again,” she said. “Their excitement is heartwarming. I love to stand out there and just watch.”
