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Despite the threat of heavy rain and potential thunderstorms last Saturday across West Tennessee a big crowd of young anglers with parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles in tow showed up at McKenzie’s City Park Lake with fishing on their mind.
Young boys and girls weren’t about to let the weatherman deter them from a morning of fishing at the 19th Annual Steve McCadams Casting For A Cure Kids Fishing Rodeo.
Filling the shoreline and pier were some 84 youngsters eager to do battle with feisty catfish silently swimming in the placid waters. Skies were dark as rolling clouds passed over the area but the army of future fishermen didn’t let the gloomy looking morning dampen their spirits.
After a stop at the registration table each angler received a fish stringer and a nice yellow fishing towel courtesy of The Nashville Predators. Additional prizes such as hockey pucks and a handsome engraved Predator’s jersey were also donated to the rodeo.
From several surrounding counties they showed up to fish and that’s just what they did. As soon as the whistle blew the show was on and one youngster----11-year old Bryson Whitaker of Paris---landed a hefty 3-pound channel catfish on his very first cast!
Apparently his bait, a big fat nightcrawler, was just what the doctor ordered and the hefty fish opted for a quick breakfast before any other fish could beat him to it.
Several kids across the lake saw quick action as the fish were sporting an appetite. Squeals of excitement here; screams of joy there. A cry or two as well when that big one slipped away and rolled back into the lake when either a line broke or the jumping fish just used all his wits to find his way back into the drink.
“I was well pleased with the event and thankful the weather cooperated,” said McCadams, host of the annual fishing rodeo that started 19 years ago at Carroll Lake. “I worried all week about the forecast and wondered what we could do if lightning and rain descended. Thankfully, the Good Lord held an umbrella over us!”
“It was another successful rodeo as several volunteers helped me pave the way for a fine fishing day for the kids as we battled cancer and fish at the same time. Thanks to donors who opened their hearts and pocketbooks again we had several door prizes that put big smiles on little faces”!
Each year the rodeo makes a donation to the American Cancer Society through Carroll County Relay For Life.
Handsome engraved plaques and nice bicycles were awarded to the youngster in four separate age brackets who either caught the most fish or biggest fish.