3rd Annual Catch A Special Thrill at Sheridan Lake
By: Tara Piper
Bring on the heat! It was a hot day in July on Sheridan Lake in South Dakota. Everyone showed up, even the bees. The Rapid City Field Office's 3rd Annual CAST for Kids Fishing Event took place at Sheridan Lake in the Black Hills. Staff from the Dakotas Area Office in Bismarck along with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks (SDGF&P), and the Black Hills Forest Service helped with all aspects of the big event. SDGF&P even gave up their secret fishing spot for the day.
This year's participants came from the Black Hills Children's Home Society. I must say that I feel especially grateful to have met with Justin Wood, Recreation Coordinator for the children's home. You see when our Rapid City Field Office started planning the first event three years ago; I called them up to invite them to a day of fishing. Sadly, they were unable to attend due to the protection of the children's location. This year they said yes! I couldn't believe it! After I got off the phone with Justin, my neighbor's in Cubie-land must have heard me clapping my hands and stirring around in excitement. I knew those kids were about to step away from their year-round daily activities and take part in a special day of fun.
Art Pasley, the Southern Region Director for the program kicked off the event with a welcome speech for the volunteers. You see Mr. Pasley is from Dallas, Texas and looks forward to traveling to the Black Hills every year. During his speech he couldn't help but point out the beauty that surrounds Sheridan Lake.
This year we had some uninvited guests who were hogging up the breakfast treats. If you wanted to get a yummy muffin provided by Perkin's, you had to get past all the swarming bees. I didn't even notice they had arrived until one made its self known to my leg, ouch! Luckily the Hill City Emergency Services were prepared to handle any situation on land or water.
The fishing gear and registration tables were set up in front of Sheridan Lake Marina and about 40 people gathered in a small area, busy with various tasks. If you're familiar with the CAST program you know each participant is given a brand new fishing pole and tackle box. As simple as it is to explain how each participant was fitted with a t- shirt, life jacket, given fishing gear, slathered with sun screen, handed water, and had their picture taken, I must add, it was a whole n'other picture! Hallelujah, within minutes the boats were loaded and everybody was off! Phew!
The Black Hills Anglers, South Dakota Walleyes Unlimited, Sheridan Lake Marina, and Black Hawk Marine volunteered their boats and provided a great learning experience. Staffs from SDGF&P and Reclamation helped out as fishing attendants and were placed on each boat. The goal of the CAST for Kids program is to give these people a great outdoor experience. For some of these participants, this was their first opportunity to go fishing and ride around the lake in a boat. The Forest Service boat provided rides to anyone who wished to get onto the lake and check out the fishing. While everyone was on the lake we headed to the marina and prepared for the awards presentation and barbeque lunch. The past two years we have received donations from many sponsors just for the lunch. In fact, we usually have a food team to gather up enough food for all the participants and volunteers. This year we were thrilled when Honackers, a local deli, donated the lunch, dessert, cook and all! Thanks Casey!
It was almost noon when the boats headed towards land. As each boat docked it was evident by the smiles the fishing was good, or maybe it was the boat ride, or maybe it was their new fishing gear, or maybe it was just an all around great day! During lunch fishing stories were exchanged under a big tent.
During the awards presentation each boat captain presented a plaque with a photo of each participant. After a long list of Thanks to the volunteers and sponsors, everyone headed to a roasting vehicle and drove off leaving behind the bees.
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