Great weather for free fishing
For 24 years, the Rise to the Future Kids Fishing Derby at Glen O. Jones Lake has brought an opportunity for children and their families to experience the magic of the Southern Illinois outdoors, have fun fishing and meet new friends and get a chance to marvel at the natural world.
Last Saturday morning, the 24th annual fishing derby was held at the Saline County Fish and Wildlife area South of Equality.
"It was a way to get kids involved in the outdoors. Let's them have a hands on experience," said Make Spanel.
And Spanel should certainly know, because he has been involved in the derby from the beginning. Spanel is now retired from a career as a U.S. Forest Service wildlife biologist and he became involved in the program when it started 24 years ago.
"We started out at Karel Park in Eldorado," Spanel said. "We held the event there for three or four years and then we started coming to Glen O. Jones. Been here since then."
Spanel spoke about the event on a mild, breezy Saturday morning. By 9 a.m. over 80 people were gathered, fishing along the lakeshore or from the floating docks or trying their hand at the casting contest by the concession stand.
"I'm not sure if anybody is catching any fish yet," said 8-year-old Alexsis Kaiser of Norris City as she happily tossed her baited hook into the water. As she settled into a lawn chair to watch the her bobber float on the water she added, "I think I'll win the casting contest."
Alexsis was there with her mother, Tracy Kaiser, and this was their first time at the fishing day.
"Their dad is usually with us when we go fishing," Traci Kaiser said. "He had to work today and he does the hooks and lines.
"I'm trying to remember what to tie where."
At the other end of the dock from the Kaisers, Daniel Overfield, his son Laythan and his nephew, Gavin Pennington of Ridgeway were casting their lines into the water.
"We are trying a little bit of everything," Daniel Overfield said.
11-year-old Gavin was attaching a lure to his line.
"I'm trying some homemade lures," he said, concentrating on the knot he was tying.
Spanel explained that the Kids Fishing Day was held in conjunction with the Illinois Free Fishing Day.
"Young people and kids 16 years old or younger never need a fishing license in Illinois," Spanel stated. "On Illinois Free Fishing Day, adults also don't need a license to fish with their kids. It helps encourage the whole family to come out and have fun." Spanel added that the Illinois Free Fishing Day was not limited to Illinois residents, visitors from all states were welcome to come that day and enjoy fishing in Illinois waters without having to buy a fishing license.
The event offers contests and give-aways for the participants, with the savory smells from the concession stand offering a tempting promise of summer barbecue treats to the people attending the program.
The Pastor of the College Heights Baptist Church and some of his church members were at the boat launch, offering free kayak rides, water and popsicles to all comers.
"This is our second year coming here," said Pastor Mike Weaver. "We gave over a hundred kayak rides last year." His son Hunter and church member Brandon Powell were busy in kayaks on the water, dropping duck decoys in a line to mark the area of the lake for the kayakers to paddle.
Spanel pointed out that the derby at Glen O. Jones lake couldn't happen without the support of the sponsors and volunteers who helped with the fishing day.
"The individuals and organizations that give their time and donations to the event are very important, no kid goes home without a prize in their pocket and everybody has fun," Spanel said. "I just want to thank all the past and current volunteers and sponsors. I think it's important that we continue to get sponsored."
Spanel said that just short list of some the people and groups helping were: Tim Harris and NAPA in Harrisburg, The Harrisburg Masonic Lodge and the Kiwanis Club in Harrisburg, Sam Grubbs and Sam's Son's Lures, the Eldorado Sons of the American Legion and Tom and Ryan Frank. Spanel stated that not all of the many individuals and groups were not mentioned in that list and it was the efforts of all the people involved that helped make the derby a success.
Paul Porter, Ashley Herrmann and her son Carter from Eldorado were fishing on the bank of the lake.
"We just got her a little while ago and we are already having fun. It's our first time coming to this," Ashley Herrmann said.
Carter, 5, was watching his bobber.
"I'm gonna come back next year," he said, adding, "If I don't have school."
"I see a lot of people who came and fished with us as kids," Spanel said. "Now they are bringing their kids to fish with us. I think that's neat."
Behind Mike Spanel as he spoke, three-year old Jordan Spanel, a big smile on his face, was assisted by his father Chris, as he tried his hand at the lure casting contest.