Hooked on Grace
Fishing program grows out of congregation’s desire to serve
When Jimmy Reed sees a child catch his first fish, it makes all his effort worthwhile.
Reed and his wife, Lisa, have developed “Hooked On Grace.”
Reed knew he wanted to serve the community. He was inspired by his church, Northwest Community Church which meets at Cooper Elementary School. Serving the city is very important to his church family. Reed was looking for his own way to serve. Since he and Lisa both love to fish, they came up with the ministry.
Once a month, Reed rents the pavilion at Lake Ann and invites everyone to fish with him. It’s meant to be a family event, and adults as well as children are welcome. People come and go throughout the morning. He usually has about 40 people fishing.
He started collecting fishing equipment in February. He’s a member of the Fly-Tyers, the fishing club that meets at Riordan Hall, and many of his fellow members have given him equipment they don’t need. He buys what he can at yard sales and then fixes it up at home. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission contributed goody bags with information about all of their programs.
He’s also received donations of new equipment, which he gives away as prizes.
“We talk about the environment and outdoor etiquette,” he said. They also talk about fishing. Usually someone brings donuts or bagels for everyone when they arrive for the day.
The pavilion at Lake Ann makes the perfect headquarters for his fishing days. There is a long, accessible shoreline that drops off very gradually, so it’s a safe spot for kids. Forty people can fish at once and not be crowded, he said. They catch largemouth bass and bluegill. One young angler caught an 18inch bass a few months ago, but usually the catch is much smaller.
It doesn’t matter the size of the fish, Lisa Reed said, the kids are just happy to have caught one.
It does matter to the Cub Scout that Jimmy Reed is mentoring through his fishing badge. When the youngster caught a tiny bluegill, he wanted to clean and cook it, fulfilling all the requirements of the badge, but you can’t clean a two-inch-long fish, Reed said.
“I think he thought he would wash it with soap and water,” he explained. The Cub Scout wasn’t as eager to cut and filet his catch. Reed said that he may catch a larger fish and let his young friend practice cleaning it.
“It doesn’t have to be the same fish,” he said about the merit badge requirements.
Children under age 16 don’t need a fishing license, Reed said, but their parents do if they want to fish. So some parents choose not to participate.
Lately, the event has ended at noon. By then the Reeds are tired and hot, but there’s no ending time set, he said. He’s prepared to stay as long as he is needed.
He plans to continue one Saturday each month until it gets too cold to fish. He may take the very cold months off, then start again in early spring. If the weather cooperates, he may go all winter. He can use donations of bottled water and ice, as well as fishing equipment.
Hooked by Grace is not sponsored by the Northwest Community Church, although some of the members help him.
“They’re always trying to help the city,” Reed said.
For more information call Jimmy or Lisa at 479-659-1045.