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Capt. Bob Lewis Kid’s Fishing Challenge - 2007
November 4, 2007
Fresh To Fishing
More than 200 kids, many of whom had never fished, got to learn the ways of
the rod and reel -- and enjoy a picnic lunch -- under a cloudless sky.
Alice White brought nine Brownies from Girl Scout Troop 879 to Saturday's Capt.
Bob Lewis Kids' Fishing Challenge at Miami's Tropical Park. Although none of the
youngsters had any previous fishing experience, they caught on quickly.
Chelsea Davis, 7, released a largemouth bass that weighed more than a pound,
plus four smaller bream. Arianna Gay, 7, also landed five fish using the free
rod and reel, worms, and bread balls provided by the tournament committee. Keionni
Spry -- though too young to be a Brownie at age 4 -- joined her older friends
and won her age division with four fish releases. She took home a shiny silver
trophy, a brand new spinning reel and a tote bag.
"The Brownies are kickin' it!" said Kimberly Davis, Chelsea's mother.
More than 220 youngsters participated in the free morning outing on the park's
east lake. With the help of 28 volunteers, they learned how to cast, tie knots,
bait hooks and reel in fish -- maybe not big ones, but big enough to pull on the
line.
"She was screaming and jumping up and down," Davis said of her daughter's
bass catch.
In the excitement, lines got tangled and broken. But that was part of the learning
experience. "We've learned how to tie hooks and bobbers," volunteer
captain Craig Fountain said.
Good Turnout
Captain Ernie Portuando, executive director of the Capt. Bob Lewis Billfish
Challenge, which sponsored the event, said he was pleased with the turnout.
"I think there were more girls out here than boys -- which I think is
pretty cool," he said.
Judy Lewis, widow of the tournament's namesake, circulated through the crowd,
talking with the youngsters and volunteers.
"This is about getting them started fishing," Lewis said.
Her late husband was a South Florida fishing pioneer who developed the fishing
kite -- a mainstay in all South Florida billfish tournaments. Lewis ran the kite-making
business after her husband's death in 1997, but recently retired and closed it
down. The fishing tournament, scheduled for Feb. 28-March 2, is entering its 14th
year.
Rewarding Outing
After a couple of hours of fishing, the children were treated to a lunch of
hot dogs, potato chips and soft drinks. Afterward, the winners picked up the ir
trophies.
Jake Johnson, 14, of Kendall released 30 fish and won his age division. Johnson,
an Arvida Middle School eighth-grader, said bread balls were his secret weapon.
"We brought our own bread from Publix," he said. "The [fish]
were around the trees and bushes, hiding. It's really fun."
Brandon Hernandez, 8, of West Miami won his age division with eight releases,
even though he had never fished.
"I watched the little bobber," he explained. "When it went back
and up, I reeled it in. I liked it because you catch a lot."
The children got to take their fishing tackle -- and worms -- home with them.
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