The Tennessee Aquarium’s 15th annual Fish ‘n’ Fun Derby at Camp Jordan’s Jack Dickert Pond will allow kids to practice the flick of a wrist in a controlled environment before, perhaps, fishing the wilds of Tennessee.
“It’s amazing sometimes to see the kinds of fish they bring up,” said Betty Miles, special event coordinator for the Tennessee Aquarium. “Sometimes little girls with pink rod and reel outfits will get the biggest fish. It kind of gets them hooked on family fishing and family fun.”
Miles said the event helps teach children about nature conservation.
“It directly relates to the Nickajack exhibit that we have,” Miles said. “It helps kids respect nature. If you have the thrill of catching and releasing in the wild it helps you understand over fishing.”
Children will measure and weigh the fish they catch before releasing them.
Chattanooga Bass Club members will be on hand to help children hook worms, rig lines and cast.
“You got to start kids out young so you have the next generation of fishermen,” said club president Jim Walpert.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will stock the pond and provide free rods and reels.
Participants may join an FLW Reel Kids casting competition, with winners advancing to regionals and eligible for scholarships.
Bass Pro Shops, whose closest retail location is Nashville, will provide the day’s prizes. The Nashville store has a coin drop box that supports Chattanooga events.
Mark Treager, of Outdoor Adventures Network in Atlanta, who’s been around since the event’s beginning, will lead most of the activities.
“He’s been a great partner,” Miles said.