Fishing Extravaganza reels in crowd
Published 9:04 am Friday, June 14, 2013
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Fish Biologist Chad Boyce explains how redear sunfish, or shellcrackers, got their name from the teeth in their throats that allow them to crush the exoskeletons of snails, muscles, and even clams. — SUBMITTED
CAPRON—The Fishing Extravaganza was held Saturday, June 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Southampton Prison Farm pond, Route 308.
The annual event included a day of fishing, food and fun.
This event takes place every year and is put together on the Free Fishing Weekend by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Corrections, Virginia Cooperative Extension, as well as many other community organizations. Additional sponsors such as the Franklin Bowling Center, Dairy Queen, and Walmart donate raffle items and fishing tackle to make this a most memorable event for all young fisherpersons.
Mars Hill Baptist Church of Capron brought 12 youth who were bringing in the shellcrackers at a regular pace. Many of these youth also won raffle drawings.
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- Keturah Brown of Carrsville and her brothers Isaiah and Antonio Brown, enjoyed the day with their grandfather Everett Porter Jr. and Uncle Howard Walden and Aunt Shirley Walden of Newsoms. Here Keturah shows off a meal-sized bluegill demonstrating why these tasty critters are also known as panfish, even though it was all “catch-and-release” on this day. Uncle and fishing mentor, Howard Walden is beaming with pride over Keturah’s catch.
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- Lifetime fishing license winners at the Fishing Extravaganza were, from left front, Morgan Clarke, 7, of Emporia and Paula Matthews, 7, of Capron. Making the presentations are, from left, back row, Sergeant T.J. Worrell and Brandon Woodruff, VDGIF Conservation Police Officers.
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- Georgia Metcalf, 8, of Courtland shows off her fifth fish. She won the fishing duel over her brother Stephen (winner of a lifetime license in 2012) six fish to five.
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- Everett Porter Jr., enjoys hamburgers and hot dogs with his grandchildren Keturah, Isaiah, and Antonio.
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- Evelyn Grace Clark of Franklin tired of the fishing pretty quickly and took to catching dragonflies.
