On a sunny Saturday morning, with the help of his grandpa, five-year-old Lil’ Walter pulled a lively fish out of the pond and excitedly brought it to the judges’ table to be weighed. Lil’ Walter seemed to enjoy his first time fishing at the Augusta, Georgia Kids Fishing Derby hosted by Mayor Hardie Davis Jr. at the Mayor’s Fishing Pond.
His grandpa reset the fishing rods with bait, as Walter smiled and sat back in his small folding chair while looking out at the floating alligators.
An experienced fisherman, Walter’s grandpa, Bernard Rains, said teaching children about outdoor hobbies, such as fishing, is important because it gives them an activity that allows them a hiatus from the screens so many are addicted to in this technological era.
“They don’t go outside anymore; they’re so stuck to the TV,” said Rains as big dragonflies buzzed around.
Several participants were fishing for the first time, like Lil’ Walter, and many were learning tricks and valuable information from the mayor and other volunteers that are part of the Augusta Recreation and Parks Department.
As a result of Cabela’s sponsorship of the event, offering free bait and fishing rods to all, many participants were able to enjoy learning about a new hobby with plenty of encouraging mentors and volunteers teaching the basics.
With a well-stocked pond, families are pulling out fish left and right, most of which weigh around one to two pounds. After bringing them to the judges table, volunteers awaited at adjoining tables to instruct kids in the art of skinning and cleaning different types of fish.
While some were catching and releasing the fish, many brought their own buckets and coolers to take their catches home for dinner.
Davis said that he believes teaching children to fish encourages closer bonds while also inspiring them to learn a new skill. Cultivating a love for the outdoors has been a goal of his office since the first fishing derby in 2016.
“I hope it is a goal that will continue to be important,” said Davis. “This is what Augusta is all about.”
Sitting nearby in the shade, Valerie McTier, grandmother of five, said fishing is an important alternative to obtain food and a dying artform.
“Kids need to know that there is another option than just going to the grocery store. People don’t teach kids anymore how to garden, fish, can and jam things. All they know is how to get food from the store, and they need to know there are alternatives like this in case the store is not an option,” said McTier.
McTier also said her own grandkids are not used to the hot weather because they do not spend a lot of time outside, meanwhile she pays no mind to the heat as she sits on her front porch.
“I’m a Southern girl so the heat doesn’t bother me. But the minute it gets too hot, they are not wanting to go outside at all. They have bikes and stuff, and they don’t even touch them,” said McTier.
However, not only did one of her grandkids win in the derby, but two of them won in their age category for biggest catch. McTier could not have been prouder of her non-outdoorsy grandchildren as the crowd congratulated them.
Fishing derby coordinator, Leadra Collins, said outdoor events teach children the importance of water quality, nurtures a love for natural features like ponds and lakes, and about the different species of bugs and animals within an environment.
“Plus it gets them out into the fresh air and sunshine,” said Collins.
Close by, nine-year-old homeschooler Hunter Doyle attended the derby with his parents on a secluded corner of the pond. His father, Thomas Doyle, said fishing teaches valuable skills that kids might not otherwise get to learn.
“It teaches kids patience and encourages a love of spirit and nature,” said Thomas Doyle.
Towards the end of the derby, several take a break from fishing and enjoy some delicious hotdogs and chips before the judges award the winners. Categories for the derby included various age groups, 5-7, 8-10, 11-13, first catch of the day, and overall biggest catch.
Karter Willis, in the 8-10 category, brought in the overall biggest catch of the day. It weighed in at 2.5 pounds.
Several expressed their interest in attending again next year and hope it becomes a continuous tradition by future Augusta mayors.
For information on future community events in Augusta go to: https://www.visitaugusta.com/events/?view=list&sort=date
Liz Wright is a correspondent for The Augusta Press.
