The Union County Recreation Department’s Kids Fishing Rodeo returned this year to the Byron Herbert Reece Farm & Heritage Center on May 28, providing some “reel fun” for local families.
About 350 fish were released into the surrounding Wolf Creek courtesy of Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Lake Burton Hatchery.
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Both rainbow trout and brown trout were available for kiddos to catch, and the event proved quite popular, with estimates of some 100 people showing up to cast their lines in hopes of a bite. It’s worth noting that Bass Pro Shop donated $1,000 worth of hats to the Reece Farm Fish Rodeo and its sister event in Suches.
Before the fun started, Dustin “The Rog” Rogers had a few words to say and partners to thank for their role in making the rodeo possible, including Georgia DNR for supplying the day’s catch, Commissioner Harold Collins for approving the program, Rec Department volunteers for helping out and Foodland for donating a solid supper of hot dogs and chips.
Little guys and gals lined the banks from the bridge to just behind the barn, usually with a steadying, helping hand from grandparents or parents. From 6 p.m. to dusk, novice and veteran fishers alike tried their luck – and several succeeded.
Rylynn King, for example, has only been fishing “for a year or two” but was very proud of reeling in a rainbow trout that day. As an attendee of the Suches Fish Rodeo, she’s no stranger to rod and tackle, and she’s fished at the Reece Farm before.
“I love (fishing); it’s like my favorite thing to do,” King said enthusiastically, detailing that her favorite part of the activity is bringing home her catch. “When I eat it, I’m just so happy, and it tastes better … when you actually work hard for it.”
Grayson Nix reeled one in just a few feet away, to the great curiosity of his little sister, Hadleigh. His family came to last year’s rodeo, where they were disappointed to have one of their fishes eaten by a snake. This season, however, they ensured the same thing didn’t happen.
Others, like Dianna Tiu and Brielle Smith, were just having fun with the act of fishing itself. Besties since kindergarten, the two little girls perched themselves on a rock and sat side-by-side, wondering how many fish they’d reel in; they figured they’d get either five or “one of each.”
It was Tiu’s first time fishing, but she decided she enjoyed it – up until she fell in the creek. No injuries were reported, but the wet pants were enough to make her take a break. Smith, meanwhile, called fishing “fun and relaxing.”
Just before sunset, folks began to file back in for hot dogs, ready for a meal after reeling in their hauls. They enjoyed an end to the evening with good food and socializing, and some kids even helped out the volunteers. Although she wasn’t keen on fishing, Nora Collins found she enjoyed handing out hot dogs and making sure everyone got their chips and a drink.
“There’s nothing better than a hot dog on a summer day,” remarked Mickey Cummings, to general agreement.
“I appreciate the volunteers bringing it together,” said Julie Tiu, mom of Dianna, who believed that the rodeo was good for the community. Amanda Smith, Brielle’s mother, agreed, saying fishing was good for teaching the little ones patience.
Both of them – and plenty others – plan to bring their children back for another adventure next year.
