Reproduced with permission from Georgia Outdoor News

Page 144 GEORGIA OUTDOOR NEWS October 2006

BUFORD BASSMASTERS HOST FISHING EVENT FOR BOY SCOUTS

By GON Staff

Twenty-eight young Boy Scout anglers were treated to a fishing event hosted by the Buford Bassmasters bass club at a Morgan County pond.

The bass club’s third-annual event took place September 16 at a private pond provided by landowner Bill Killmer. Boy Scouts from Troop 553 of Snellville, Troop 81 of Monroe, and Troop 525 of Youth (near Loganville) took part.

“We enjoy working with the Boy Scouts,” said Buford Bassmasters President Brian Gerhart. “They already have some interest, and they are motivated.”

It was a great day for the kids whether they caught a fish or not. Buford Bassmasters bass-club members raised $3,800 for the event, which paid for a brand new Diawa spinning rod and reel for each kid to keep, as well as a bag full of high-quality crankbaits, plastic worms, spinnerbaits, hooks and other fishing tackle.

The event started with the scouts divided into three groups to hear presentations by bass-club members on tying fishing knots, fishing equipment and first aid. The kids then lined up to receive the fishing tackle, and they headed for the lake.

Buford Bassmasters club members provided expertise and a lot of one-on-one instruction on both rigging the various baits and how to go about fishing them.

Pond owner Bill Killmer said the catfish in the pond were aggressive, and that proved to be the case. Austin Odum of Loganville was casting a Rat-L-Trap that was hammered by a 3.7-lb. channel cat.

The bass, however, pretty much took the day off. Last year’s event saw a total of 116 pounds of fish caught, weighed and released. This year the number dropped to 37 pounds. The big fish of the day was a largemouth caught by Justin Cook of Monroe, with Troop 81. Justin was fishing a plastic lizard and hooked a 5.3-lb. bass.

For a gallery of photos from the fishing event, visit the Buford Bassmasters’ website at <www.bufordbassmasters.com>. “And we are always looking for new members who enjoy fishing,” said Brian.