No Way Out
By: Art Pasley
As volunteers began to arrive at San Antonio's famed Lake Calaveras, the most frequently asked question was, "do you think the catfish are still here"? Last year's event was about as well planned as you could possibly expect, except for one small detail. With over 700 pounds of farm raised catfish released into a netted off cove, everyone had visions of catching fish, but the catching never started. It seems that a mysterious hole in the net provided every catfish in the cove an escape route to freedom, and escape they did.
Not this year. As the participants from A.R.C. of San Antonio arrived, Patty Gonzales welcomed them to the CPS annual "Kids Fish Day" at Calaveras Park. CPS stands for City Public Service Energy Group. CPS provides gas and electricity to the City of San Antonio. Each year they do a number of community outreach projects for the area and do them very well. With partnership's including CPS, Texas Parks & Wildlife, San Antonio River Authority, Fishing Texas, Java Jockey and the Firstmark Credit Union Volunteers, the Calaveras event provides an excellent outdoor opportunity for the participants.
Once the introductions were made and everyone was registered, the fishing began and any doubts as to the existence of the catfish were soon diminished. I watched closely as every Zebco Rod and Reel made that familiar 'zinging' sound. If there was ever any doubt that the rods and reels provided to the kids would get the job done, the Calaveras catfish removed all doubt. I have never seen so many fish being caught at the same time. It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen! Fish after fish netted for the kids, as each participant was allowed to keep 3 fish.
"This is great," stated C.A.S.T. event host Jim Behnken. "I am so happy to see all the kids catching fish," he added. Behnken is no stranger to catching fish himself. He is a regular on the FLW triple -T tournament trail and a long time supporter of the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation. "This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone," said Behnken. "We need to be involved in the lives of these children and what better way to do that than teaching them to fish," he ended.
As in years past, the lunch was out of this world. Real chicken and sausage fajitas with onions and all the fixin's. I'm sure the term "no place but Texas" was the response from some misplaced Northern visitor that had never tasted true Mexican food. It's one of those things in life that you just have to see and taste for yourself.
As the temperature continued to rise, as it often does in Texas, the plaques were awarded by CPS Director Scott Smith and C.A.S.T. Host Jim Behnken. The kids love the plaques and the expression on many of their faces showed the thrill of their accomplishment. They proudly walked through the tent area showing friends and family their new treasure.
It's a joy seeing the smiles on the kid's faces as they catch fish, try new things and then be rewarded for their efforts. One of the participants spends most of his time in a wheelchair but for the first time in his young life, he left his chair behind and went for a boat ride and was able to feel the wind as it cooled his face. "That was wonderful, just wonderful," was all I heard from his mother.
What a great event and a great day for everyone involved. A lot of "Special Thrills" came as a very special group of "Thrill Makers" provided another great day for the kids from A.R.C. A special thank you to Patty Gonzales, Scott Smith, Jim Behnken, Wade Middleton and all the great people from San Antonio CPS Energy Group. What a special day at the lake!
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