TYLER, Texas — The fishing rods are packed, the fish are fried and plans are underway for next year’s Urban Kids Fishing Derby. This week’s Hooked On East Texas shows us how this unique fishing derby is all about making connections.
Just before the sun popped up from behind the trees, Urban American Outdoors television host and creator of Urban Kids Fish, Wayne Hubbard, welcomed a crowd of more than 100 people to the first-ever Urban Kids Fishing Derby in Texas.
“Well hello everyone," Hubbard shouted. "I’m Wayne Hubbard and this is Candice Price and we’re excited to be here in Tyler, Texas.”
It didn't take long for the first fish of the day to be caught. The first of many fish caught, even a legend.
Legend Thompson, 7, was frustrated at first but soon got hooked on East Texas.
“At first, I wasn’t getting no fishes then I got one fish," Legend said. "And then I got more fishes and then I got so many I had to put some back because they were too small.”
But no fish was too small at this derby because it there's about more than catching fish. We often say on Hooked on East Texas that this series is about more than just fishing, and the Urban Kids Fishing Derby proves this. These young anglers are learning about environmental stewardship.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Chief Diversity and Inclusion officer David Buggs, summed it up this way.
“All of nature is a public trust which means nature is for us but we're able to be the stewards of nature so that the next generation has something to enjoy when they go out," Buggs said.
It’s all about the connection with nature for Hubbard. He sees connections made here today as a path toward tomorrow.
“Science, biology, in this space," Hubbard said. "Conservation. it’s important for them to realize that outdoors is for everyone.”
Buggs added, "One of the things we’ve recognized is a lot of urban kids want to get engaged in the outdoors, but they’re focused on these hand held things that you do with your thumbs. We’re trying to get them away from that.”
One way is to increase the chance of catching fish. A few days before the derby, U.S. Fish and Wildlife stocked Faulkner park’s pond with more than 2,500 fish and a lot of big ones. We watched several fish weighing more than two pounds.
“Two-point-two eight, all right, all right," said a Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist as he weighted one of the big catfish.
The Texas State Parks Northeast Texas Regional Director, Chris True said the derby was a chance for several agencies to come together to offer a chance for kids to get outside and have a great time.
Texas State Parks has a saying, "Life is better outside" and Saturday at Tyler's Faulkner Park proved it.
“What a great venue," True said. "The kids are catching a lot of fish and some big fish. It’s been a great morning.”
A great morning that wrapped up with an awards ceremony. Hubbard handed out the awards with the same enthusiasm he had at the start of the derby three hours prior.
Aaliyah Jon caught the smallest fish. “And when you catch the smallest fish, you get the biggest fish," Hubbard said as he handed Jon a huge stuffed fish pillow.
But really the biggest fish of the day, was a three pound catfish that won Kinslee Timmons one hundred dollars. Hubbard and the remaining crowd counted out the money as Hubbard placed the bills in Timmons' palm.
“Twenty, forty, sixty, eighty, one hundred dollars," bellowed Hubbard as the crowd broke out in the applause to round out a great morning at the first ever East Texas Urban Kids Fishing Derby.
We can’t wait to announce when and where next year’s CBS19 Urban Kids Fishing Derby will he held. Keep watching Hooked On East Texas for more details.