Derby hopes to hook kids on outdoors

Becky Hawkins helped her daughter, Laura, perfect her fishing technique Saturday.

“When it goes under, don’t just reel it in, jerk it. That’s how you hook them,” she said to Laura.

Laura, 13, was one of about 200 children fishing in the lagoon at Liberty Park on Saturday as part of a fishing derby organized by MO Kids Outdoors.

Laura said she caught three fish at last year’s derby.

“I came out because all my friends were coming and I come out every year,” the Sedalia resident said.

Her mother said the two like to fish.

“I grew up with six brothers, and my mother was an avid fisherman, so I’m trying to get her into it,” she said.

Harry Hoffert, president of the group, said the free event was part of an effort to get more children and their parents outdoors.

“Our goal is to get the children and the parents out together. We’re trying to show people they don’t just have to sit around,” he said.
Hoffert said the derby has been run for the last four years.

The derby and the organization are also committed to raising awareness and funds for childhood diseases, Hoffert said.

The Missouri Department of Conservation had 100 fishing rods for children to use, and bait was available.

Children 15 and under who fished for an hour and a half could spin a wheel to receive a prize. There were no prizes for catching the biggest fish.

That was good news for Timothy French, 6, of Knob Noster.

He and his family had their lines out, but after an hour, had only caught a branch.

His mother, Susan, said the event was a good way to introduce Timothy, a leukemia survivor, to outdoors sports.

“This has been a wonderful opportunity to get him out,” she said. Timothy was there with his sisters, Emily, 7, Elisa, 4, and Emma, 2, and his brother, Al, 15.

“Fishing is hard for them,” said father Daniel, because it takes patience.

Emily did not like the bait.

“I’m not a worm girl,” she said.

Al reeled in the family’s first catch of the day, a small perch.