chapelhillnews.com | Fed for a lifetime

Who says there?s no such thing as a free lunch?At Saturday?s annual staging of the Youth Fishing Rodeo at Strayhorn?s Pond in Orange County, nobody went hungry.The fish were certainly well fed ? twice in fact.Having enjoyed a sumptuous feast courtesy of the previous night?s heavy downpours (rains typically wash bugs and food from the banks into pond), the tidbits of bait provided at Saturday morning?s catch-and-release competition were a fitting dessert for hungry bream, catfish and bass.?Yeah, it?s always better if you don?t have a rain for about a week before this thing. ? These fish feed close to the bottom, and, with the noise and everything near the banks it?s amazing that anyone catches anything,? property owner Bob Strayhorn said, chuckling. ?But they always do.?Nor did the 200 young fishermen and several hundred more friends and family members go home with empty stomachs. Following the fishing, hundreds of participants enjoyed a free hotdog picnic lunch.In fact, the only ones left hungry were possibly the Strayhorn?s cows who are relocated from their pond-side pasture each year to make way for the rodeo.While the earlier rains may have left the fish less than ravenous, however, it made way for almost ideal weather Saturday morning.?I?m just glad it?s not unbearably hot,? Carrboro Recreation and Parks Recreation Supervisor Julie Collins said.Strayhorn agreed: ?This is probably the biggest turnout we?ve had in several years,? he said.The cost-free fishing Rodeo offered youths aged 3-15 and their parents the opportunity to enjoy a morning of fishing and fun, followed by the hotdog lunch on the property owned by Strayhorn. Poles and bait were supplied by the organizers, and the rodeo was co-sponsored by Carrboro Recreation and Parks, Orange County Recreation and Parks, Orange County 4-H, the NC Cooperative Extension, the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation, with support from area civic clubs and businesses.There were numerous competitions within each age group: 3-to-5-year olds, 6-to-9-year olds and 10-to-15-year olds. The catch-and-release competitions included First Fish Caught, Smallest Fish, Longest Fish and Heaviest Fish. There was also a competition for Best (most creative) Fishing Hat.Nicholas Hutson, 12, tied with Collin Cox in the First Fish Caught competition.Aida Despirito caught the Smallest Fish (6 inches) for ages 3-5, while Sarah Brandt won the 6-9-year old bracket with a 4.25, and Ethan took the 10-15 division (6).The Longest Fish among those aged 3-5 was a 13-incher caught by Ralph Perrine. Aidan Davis won the 6-9-year old title with a 21-inch catfish, and his older brother Brock Davis?s 22-inch catfish earned the 10-15 crown.The heaviest fish caught among the 3-5 crowd was a 0.85-pounder landed by Kaden Winstead, while Wyatt Hargiss hauled in a 2.7-pound catfish to win the 6-9-year old pool, and 2.6-pound fish caught by Caleb Sykes won the age 10-15 title.Formerly the chairman of the county?s first recreation board, Strayhorn began the Rodeo at the pond on his New Hope Road property in 1978 as an opportunity for local recreation agencies to work together. He said the long-running event has reaped benefits that span generations?Parents that came back in the 1970s are coming back with their kids and grandchildren now,? he said.Just as likely, many of the children fishing on Saturday will someday teach their own children to fish, perhaps even at Strayhorn?s Pond.?This is actually our third year coming here,? said Will Davis of Chapel Hill, father of Longest Fish Caught age group winners Aidan and Brock. ?We just used the worms we were given here. Aidan threw it out and reeled his catfish all the way back in. I just helped him at the bank and got my shoes dirty.??Yeah, it was hard to pull him in,? Aidan Davis said, shortly thereafter returning to his fishing spot in search of larger quarry. ?I?m going to try to break my own record.??Mine was a bass; it was pretty hard to reel in actually,? Nicholas Hutson said just after rushing a fish to the weighing table.For those ?hooked? on fishing after Saturday?s Rodeo, Carrboro Recreation and Parks offers numerous programs to help hone youngsters? angling skills.Carrboro will host a weeklong camp June 18 and also the week of July 9, Collins said.Next up for the younger area anglers, Carrboro?s fishing instructors will be offering free fishing clinic for kids 15-and-under (parents are welcome) at Carrboro?s Hank Anderson Park pond this coming Saturday, June 30 (9-11 a.m.). Another clinic will be offered Saturday, July 28.At the clinics, young anglers will learn about equipment, techniques, sites and regulations. Supplies will be furnished, but those with poles can bring them. Call-in registration is required for the clinics however. Those interested should call Carrboro Recreation and Parks at 919-918-7364.Carrboro will also be offering five-day catch and release fishing camps for youths aged 8-to-13. Guidance will be provided by Instructor Joe Currin throughout the camp, which runs 2:30 ? 5 p.m. on weekdays, June 18-22 and again July 9-13. Participants can look forward to catching fish such as bass, bream, crappie, catfish and more. A freshwater lightweight spinning rod or Zebco equivalent is needed. The cost for each five-day camp is $85. For more information, call Carrboro Recreation and Parks Recreation Supervisor Julie Collins at 919-918-7392.Along with the Cane Creek Reservoir, University Lake and the Anderson Park pond in Carrboro, other fishing spots close to home in Orange County include Lake Michael in Efland (no fee) and Lake Orange (permit required). The Eno River flows right through Orange County.While no fishing licenses were needed for fishing on private property like the Rodeo at Strayhorn?s pond, licenses are required for fishing in public waters for anyone older than 16. Licenses are available at many gas stations or convenience stores where the N.C. Wildlife Commission?s diamond symbol are displayed outside. Fishing tackle loaner program are also available at many locations where Wildlife Commission signs are displayed. For more information, visit NCWildlife.org.

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