TYLER, Texas — The second annual CBS19 Urban Kids Fishing Derby was all about families coming together sharing a love of nature.
Woldert Park in Tyler was the site of the first Urban Kids Fishing derby of the 2024 season. Urban Kids Fishing derbies started in 2003 when Wayne Hubbard and Candice Price, hosts of the outdoor TV show Urban American Outdoors, wanted to inspire kids to love nature and to think about a career in science.
“Most importantly, we want them to know that they have access and this is what they're doing is creating access to look at it," Hubbard said.
Look at fish, touch fish. It might inspire a career in science. It’s why Texas Parks and Wildlife shows its support for the Urban Kids Fishing Derby by sending biologists and Inland Fisheries leaders to help.
“We also know outdoors is healthier for everyone. We know that when young people especially are engaged in outdoors, that cognitive skills are better than their creative skills are better," said David Buggs, director of community outreach with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
CBS19 Urban Kids Fishing Derby 2024
Aaliyah Jon Molitor is the proof of that creativity. She discussed how she mixed live worms with artificial worms.
“I put them together and tried it one time, but it didn't really work. So we were sticking to the to the artificial worms," Molitor said.
You may remember her from last year’s derby at Faulkner Park, where she won a prize for the smallest fish caught.
This year’s derby was almost twice as big as last year’s derby.
“Oh, this is fantastic. We were here last year. It was a pretty decent crowd last year but today is awesome," Buggs said.
Peltier Kia General Manager Joshua Hartman brought his family to help volunteer and show support for the event.
"Anything that has to do with our local community and kids, we want to jump right in and help out but we're just trying to help our youth and grow our community here in East Texas," Hartman said.
Support like that helped CBS19 and Urban Kids Fish fill all 150 spots that were available for this year’s derby.