KIDS FISHING DERBY 2005

More than 7000 catfish are waiting in the City/County Fishpond for the first fishing day of the 2005 Recreation Department fishing season. As has been the tradition, children 15 & under will be the first to bait their hooks and get a chance to catch a ‘mess’ of fish from the pond when the Thomaston - Upson County Kids Fishing Derby begins on Saturday, May 21 from 9:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. This popular Recreation Department-coordinated event is being held again at the City/County Fish Pond located across from Ingle’s on Highway 19 North. Pre-registration is now underway. The first 100 participants to pre-register will receive a goodie bag. Everyone will receive ticket for door prizes graciously donated by local merchants.

The fun filled day will begin at 9:00 A.M. with 3-5 years old children allowed first access to the fish. At 10:00 A.M. ages 6-10 will enter followed by the ages 11-15 at 11:00 A.M. Final weigh-ins for all age divisions will be prior to 2:00 P.M. Awards will be given to the top three winners in each age division for Largest Fish Caught and Total Weight Caught. A maximum of one award is allowed per person in the fishing categories. Held with the derby will be a Casting Contest. Casting competition will be held from 9:00 A.M. till 1:00 P.M. using fishing tackle provided by the Recreation Department. Awards will be given to the casting winners for 1^st through 3^rd place in each age division (5 & under, 6-10, and 11-15) with a minimum of 10 entries per age group. Winners for the Fishing Derby and Casting contest will be tallied and announced by the Recreation Department Tuesday, May 24.

All children fishing must provide their own fishing equipment. Bait must be provided by the user. No live minnows will be allowed for bait. Persons fishing must keep the first 10 fish caught and weigh them in before leaving the pond. Only catfish will be kept. No throwbacks for catfish. All bass/carp must be returned to pond. Also, no persons over age 15 will be allowed to fish.

Persons coming to the derby should park in the pine grove located just north of the fish pond by way of the R Street entrance. Due to safety reasons, DO NOT EXIT HWY. 19 AT THE FISH POND. Exit Hwy. 19 at R Street and take the first driveway to the left. Follow the signs through the pine grove to the top of the hill at the pond. For further information, and to register, call the Thomaston-Upson Rec. Department at 647-9691.