MidSouth Jr Fishing Rodeo - June 08' Roundup

Hey all you Ladies that Bass fish. You better look out for this girl. She is going to give you a run for the money in a few years on the Bass Circuit. Ashland Ray is only nine years old and her Dad did not have to step in much to help her with this string of catfish. Dad (Don Ray) and Ashland had a great day and somehow I bet Ashland even took the fish home and cleaned them. Ashland, BassHogFishing.com is Proud to have met you and wish you the best next year Hope to see you again at the Mid-South Junior Fishing Rodeo. Steve McGoldrick

June 7, 2008 Johnston Park MidSouth Jr Fishing Rodeo was a big hit for the Mid-South and the 250-plus participants.

Registration started at 8AM and there was a line to the parking lot. Everyone was ready to catch some fish. I saw alot of single Moms and Single Dads with the kids out for a fun day. It was a great sight to behold, so many families together doing a great thing some of the kids have never caught a fish, and today that would change.

Just before 9 AM, everyone was picking out that special place that they just knew the catfish were waiting to bite their hooks. The Emcee announced at 9am to cast your rods and I have never seen so many lines hit the water at once.

This was a kids' event and it was left up to the kids to do everything. The adults were there to assist getting the fish in along with many the Volunteers.

Memphis Light Gas and Water, Carl Gram, Blue Bank Resort, Kroger,and Sportsman Warehouse just to mention a few and most of all the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for stocking the two lakes.

It did not take long before you could hear all the yelling when someone landed a big Catfish.

They had contest every few minutes that would be the first little boy or girl that caught a catfish and landed it to yell out and would be awarded a prize.

Then about half way into the morning the sun came out and heated everyone up or should I say started cooking everyone.

Even with the heat the water truck made its way around the lake I can not tell you how many times to ensure that know one was thirsty or get overheated. Needless to say that did not stop the folks from fishing their hearts out.

In one of the events they got the moms to fish and then the dads, then what about grandma and grandpa. They even got a chance to win a prize. They even went so far as to announce that any one that had a Medicare card would have five minutes to catch and yell out that they had a catfish landed and win a prize.

As I made my way around the lake helping folks out to bait, land, or re-rig their lines, I saw this guy that looked like he was going into the lake trying to help out this Mom and Daughter. The little girl had never caught a catfish and this guy was trying to help. Of all the folks who do you think it was...None other than Bill Dance himself. The kids and even adults got a kick out of having Bill Dance help them fish, signing autographs and posing for pictures. They will be able to look back at this and tell everyone that they spent the day with Bill Dance.

That is the kind of guy Bill is in his busy schedule travel from Florida filming a fishing show to drop what ever he is doing and help out the Jr Fishing Rodeo. Bill has done this for years and look forward to seeing him again next year.

The fishing event ended at 11am and then a awards ceremony was held to crown all the winning fishing folks, more prizes that I can list "even Bikes".

I have include some pictures of the event and you will be able to see that everyone had a great time and they did try to see that everyone won a prize.

Many thanks to the folks that help put this on and if I left your name out of this article, I am sorry but there are so many that wanted to help. We had folks coming up wanting to sign up to help next year and I know that Larry Rhea will be glad to get all the help.

If there is anyone that would like to help either contact Tennessee Wildlife agency or send me a message and I will see that it gets to the right folks.

You all have some kind of Fishing Rodeo in the area check it out. Even if you do not have kids, go out and volunteer to help take the fish off the hooks or anything.

Look at the faces of the little ones and get that funny feeling inside and see if this is not the best day that you have had in awhile.

Seeing a little one catch his/her first fish or like AshLand Ray 9 years old who is going to be a big fishing girl in some years. Do not be surprised if you hear about or see her on the Bass Circuit down the Road.

Again From BassHogFishing.com, many thanks to all the VOLUNTEERS for making this happen and hope to see everyone and some new faces next year.

Keep The Hooks Wet 

Steve McGoldrick 

Winners Listed Below

Additional Fishing Rodeo Pictures

Winners:

Kaitlyn McKinley, 11, of Bartlett caught 41 fish, including 40 bream, en route to being crowned the Grand Champion at the recent Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Mid-South Junior Fishing Rodeo at Johnson Road Lake in Germantown.  The victory earned Kaitlyn and her immediate family a three-day, two-night vacation to Blue Bank Resort on Reelfoot Lake, along with a bicycle.

            Rodeo divisional winners:

            Boys 6-8 - Points, Holden McCraw of Memphis; Big fish, Jack Heffernan of Germantown.

            Girls 6-8 - Points and big fish, Caleigh Douglas of Atoka, Tenn.

            Boys 9-12 - Points, Derek Fuller of Memphis; Big fish, Keegan Vespo of Southaven.

            Girls 9-12 - Points, Ashland Ray of Arlington; Big fish, Emily Jones of Southaven.

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