EASL to host annual Kid's Fishing Rodeo this Saturday
This Saturday, the parish’s young fisherman will converge on Twin Lakes Park in Dutchtown with their poles and live bait to enjoy the 57th annual Kid’s Fishing Rodeo.
The event is hosted by the East Ascension Sportsman League. Last year, almost 200 kids showed up for the rodeo.
The EASL is dedicated to conserving and properly managing the state’s natural resources, and it is one of the largest and most active affiliates of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation. In fact, the organization has been named Louisiana Conservation Organization of the Year five times.
The EASL also offers shooting sports and holds big buck, big fish and big turkey contests throughout the year.
Parents do not have to be members of the EASL to have their children compete in this Saturday’s fishing rodeo.
The fishing rodeo will be open to all children between the ages of 2 and 14, and it’s free to participate. In fact, the young anglers will be treated to free food, and door prizes will also be given out to each fisherman.
These prizes are possible because of the many sponsors of the event. This includes Shell Pipeline.
There are a few rules that participants will have to adhere to on Saturday.
For one, the kids must bring a cane pole or a rod and reel, and their bait must be crickets, worms or any other live bait. No artificial baits will be allowed.
When it comes to parents, they are allowed to help their child bait their hook and/or cast the line, but the kid must hold the pole and bring in the fish on their own.
Parents are encouraged to bring folding chairs, live bait and a bucket to hold the fish their child catches throughout the course of the event. No matter how small some of the caught fish may be, they will all be counted and weighed at the conclusion of the event.
Though, only fish will be counted. Turtles and eels won’t.
Registration will begin at 6 a.m. on Saturday, and fishing will commence from 7-9.
When the fishing is stopped at 9, the fish will be weighed and a judge will tally the results. Trophies will then be awarded for the biggest fish and most fish caught for each age category.
Children will be grouped by age and gender.
Not every child will get a trophy for the fishing competition, but no child will go home empty handed. As stated before, all participants will walk away with a door prize and free food.
For more information on the event, you can call EASL Chairman Bettye Lambert at 571-4588, or you can check out the East Ascension Sportsman League’s website at www.easlonline.org.