Free fishing poles, fishing offered at Kids Fishing Fun Day

Kids Fishing’ Fun Day will be Saturday at New Covenant Church, Agape Day Care.

The Southeast Missouri Sportsmen Association has sponsored the event for more than 50 years, said Randy Daves. The group had a banquet and raised 100% of the money to fund the event.

Registration will begin at 7 a.m. and continue until 8 a.m. for the event, which is open for youngsters ages 3-12 years old.

“It’s a day where kids can come out to fish free of charge,” Daves said. “All they have to do is show up with their parents or grandparents and be willing to fish. There needs to be a parent or guardian on hand with the youngsters all the time. We’re not going to be a babysitting service.”

Everybody who walks in will get a free fishing pole. They don’t have to bring their own unless they have a lucky one.

Daves explained, “Everybody’s issued a brand new pole, if they want one and they can take it home with them. They’ll get to fish for two to three hours or when they get bored.”

The Poplar Bluff Fire Department Smokehouse will be on hand and firefighters will perform a demonstration. The U.S. Forestry Service will help by putting on a casting contest that day. They will award prizes and gift bags for youth.

At about 11:30 a.m., the anglers and their families will be ushered to lunch.

“They will be fed a hot dog, hamburger, chips, desserts and free drinks,” Daves said. “It’s totally free to everybody that wants to show up. It didn’t cost a penny for anybody, but donations are welcome.

“We are trying to get the kids to the outdoors to enjoy a day fishing with their parents. We provide everything they should need to have a good day. Usually, it gets over around noon and it starts seven.”

While attendance varies on weather conditions, Daves added, “Usually, we’ve had anywhere from 80 to 120 in the past several years.”