Fishing Rodeo slated for May 14
Catfish will bite this year for children ages 13 and younger when they attend the 32nd Annual Bob Watt Youth Fishing Rodeo.
The event, scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, May 14, at Anchor Park, 11730 Turkey Creek Road, Farragut, will give children a day of fishing and competing for prizes in a variety of categories, Chelsey Riemann, Farragut public relations coordinator, said.
Registration will begin at 9 a.m. on site, and fishing will follow from 9:30 to 11 a.m. The first 150 children will receive a free T-shirt.
The park’s fishing piers and fishing docks will be blocked off and reserved for attendees with disabilities, Lauren Cox, Farragut Special Event and Program coordinator, said.
“We had around 200 people attend in 2015, and we are hoping for at least that many or more this year,” Cox said. “Event volunteers will hand out the bait, fix broken fishing lines and help kids get the fish off hooks for weighing.
“If the little kids need help casting and reeling, we do not stop parents from helping.”
Cox acknowledged event sponsors, the Watt family, for donating the children’s T-shirts and a monetary donation and Charley Benziger, Farragut resident, who provided a monetary donation toward purchase of the fish stocked by Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency.
Riemann said the Town still is accepting community donations for the event, including youth and adult spincast [push button] rod and reel combos in good working condition, line, hooks, bobbers and sinkers.
“Farragut businesses also are encouraged to consider donating items to be used as prizes for participants,” she said.
The town of Farragut will provide the bait (nightcrawlers), although any type of may be used, and a limited number of fishing poles will be available for use during the event.
“Poles will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and participants are encouraged to bring their own poles,” Riemann said.
Prizes will be awarded for boys and girls who catch the biggest fish in each of the following age categories: Ages 6 and younger, 7 to 9 years and 10 to 13. Prizes also will go for the most caught fish and biggest fish overall.
“So, all participants will be eligible to win these awards,” Cox said.
The Bob Watt Youth Fishing Rodeo is free and open to the public and is sponsored by town of Farragut.
The fishing rodeo will be held rain or shine; however, Cox said in the case of severe inclement weather, call 966-2420 for the status of the event. For more information, visit townoffarragut.org or contact Cox at lcox@townoffarragut.org or 865-966-7057.
