GONE FISHIN’
Bad weather doesn’t stop annual fishing derby
Texarkana, Texas’ 26th annual fishing derby for students with special needs began Thursday despite rainy weather and a change from its usual location.
The two-day event gives students from school districts throughout the region a chance to get outdoors and experience the thrill of catching a fish. It normally takes place at Spring Lake Park, but because of recent work on the park’s pond, the derby this year moved to Grady T. Wallace Park.
Texas Parks and Wildlife stocked a tank resembling an above-ground swimming pool with trout to catch because using Wallace park’s pond was not feasible, said Robby Robertson, director of the Texas-side Parks and Recreation Department, the derby’s main sponsor.
Overcast skies and a threat of showers did not lessen the enthusiasm of the youngsters fishing Thursday morning, who reacted with excitement each time a trout in the tank took the bait.
Volunteers from the Texas-side Police Department and Fire Department, TPW, Challenged Outdoorsmen of America, and Arkansas High School helped students reel in their fish and clean them to take home and eat.
Angie Bui, a community-based instruction teacher at AHS, said her students look forward to the derby.
“They thoroughly enjoy the experience of get-
ting to go fishing—and just to get out of class for a day,” she said, adding that the students will be cooking and eating their fish at school today.
The event is something volunteers enjoy, as well, Parks and Recreation employee Tammie Moore said.
“It’s awesome to see all these kids out having a good time. The looks on their faces are precious,” she said. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s a blessing.”
The fishing derby continues today at Wallace Park. For more information, call Parks and Recreation at 903-798-3978.