C.A.S.T. for Kids -- El Dorado Lake June 16, 2007

KANSAS STATE TROOPERS 2ND ANNUAL CAST EVENT
"CATCH A SPECIAL THRILL"
Tom Spencer K-241
Kansas State Trooper

June 16, 2007, the perfect day for our second annual Cast for Kids fishing event at El Dorado Lake, in El Dorado Kansas. The weather was in a simple word perfect and this year our planning, organizing, and execution made us all look like seasoned veterans. We had 45 bass fishermen, about 40 volunteers, and 50 kids plus parents and family that showed up at Shady Creek Marina to "Catch A Special Thrill."
   As with last year, the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Kansas State Troopers Association were the largest financial contributors to the event. We also had help from the Kansas Peace Officers Association, Derby Police Department and Mulvane Police Department. Scott Koehn was our "Road Dog" this year, Gary Warner gave a rollover and seatbelt presentation and Lt. Bill Faerber was a hit with the aircraft static display. Raul Carrillo had his motorcycle on display, and Dale Brooks and his dog Nitro were again a big hit. Lt. Roger Baughman, Fred Johnson, and John Throckmorton were the official grillers this year and yes, they were grill-en!
   Angela Grammer, Elizabeth Vanek, Lt. Jimmie Atkinson, and Captain Stoecklein all helped with registration, setup, and awards. Lt. Jimmie Atkinson made sure that the Kansas Highway Patrol displays were all taken care of. Lt. Jimmie Atkinson and Trooper Matt Mullen also helped solicit funding and were a big part of the success of the event this year. Chief Ken Nakaten of the El Dorado Fire Department ensured that the 28-foot Fire Safety Trailer and a big engine would be at the event. Firefighters let children try on boats, helmets, coats, and climb all over the engine. Kansas Wildlife and Parks Officer Jason Barker helped out on land and water. Erika Nighswonger, the boating education coordinator, assisted with boating safety information for our boaters and parents, and provided life jackets for some of the children. El Dorado Park Manager Doug Lauxman and Dustin Ward made sure we had plenty of picnic tables for the event and any other last minute needed things. Motorist assist, Mike Briley owner of myeyeonphotography.com and Angela Frasure, Kansas Highway Patrol media department took photos this year and did an outstanding job. My special thanks to Mike for the outstanding job of photos for the children's plaques and Angela for putting together the DVD's. Lt. Tim Brant and two of his Resource Officers with the Derby Police Department were on hand with one of their new Explorers. We had lots of troopers partnering with the kids and getting their pictures taken with the kids for the awards plaques. They also signed plenty of autographs with K-numbers for the kids along with our boaters.
   Again, this year all of the children received a CAST hat, T-shirt, Zebco rod and reel, Plano tackle box (stuffed with tackle), goody bag, certificate of participation, and awards plaque presented by our boaters. All of the kids this year received memorabilia from the Kansas Highway Patrol consisting of key chains to clothing. The boaters received a special Kansas Highway Patrol, 70th anniversary boater's plaque for assisting us with the event and our sincere thanks for riding with the KHP/CAST brand for the day.
   Our special thanks to event host, Mike Morgan, owner of Shady Creek Marina. This is the second year Mike has opened up all of his facilities for the CAST event. He had pro staff on hand to help us and gave us the parking lot his convention building, boat docks for the event, and anything else we needed. This year we ran out of mustard and catsup during lunch and Mike's crew supplied extra to us, which kept us from making a run to the store. He is the only boat dealer in Kansas that I know of you can test drive before you buy. Mike also had his staff give several demo's to some of the guys with the new Skeeter 21I. What an awesome boat. If you are in the market go see Mike and tell him thanks for supporting our program.
   As with last year, we had some of the best fishermen in the Midwest. William Rock CEO of Fishing-Tackle-Forum.com, Billy Raymond of Bass Feed.com, Brad Burns, Kansas Bass Federation Youth Director, Josh Rock (7 year old), Kickback Bass Club and Casting Kids 2007 National Finals Qualifier. To see the above four in action was very cool. They truly brought excitement to the event and got people fired up. Not to forget Larry Shoop of Johnson County Sheriffs Department and CEO of Copsnbobbers. He made sure all of our children received gift bags from Copsnbobbers. They consisted of a small tackle box and more lures. Brad Matz, CEO of Snap'rCo, who came all the way from Clear Lake California to give all of our kids a snap'r, a special hook setting de-vice that, "turns fishing trips into catching trips." These guys were instrumental to the success of this event and in helping bring bass fisherman to our event.
   This brings me to another point, our bass fisherman and boaters. What a class act of guys and gals. Without the help of these boaters and their willingness to travel, some over several hundred miles, we would not have the class event that we have today. I truly never imagined this event growing and getting the exposure that it has gotten. One big reason is the partnerships that have been made with numerous agencies, businesses and individuals who have given time, effort, or financial assistance to make this event what it is.
   One boater, William Rock of the fishing-tackle-forum said, "It was fun as we started watching the kids roll into the sign up with all the happy faces ready to do something exciting.. As Josh and I walked around, it was great to work with the children and parents. I got a chance to meet a little boy as I was getting ready to go out on the boats, getting the tackle ready. I was approached for a picture and I felt it appropriate to share some fishing knowledge with the parents as I handed the child a few great plastic worms to go on his adventure showing his dad how to rig a trick worm as well wacky rig a sinko with a weedless hook so as his son fished it he was less likely to get it stuck."
   Grace and Charles McMillan owners of Goddard Auto Repair in Goddard donated financially to the event and also came to the event as volunteers. I caught up to them and asked what they thought of the event. Grace stated, "You can't beat the excitement from the kids, it makes your heart melt." Chuck said he helped hand out rods and reels and told them he picked the rods out especially for the kids. He said, "You should have seen the look on their faces, we will definitely volunteer again next year."
   Another sponsor and friend is Ron Shaw, owner of Rotten Ronnies Jigs. Ron gave us tons of jigs to place in the tackle boxes this year. When I caught up to Ron, well, he was doing what Ron does, make jigs. I couldn't help but ask Ron why such a big donation of jigs. Ron stated that he never met his real father and didn't have anyone to take him fishing when he was younger. Ron said, "As you know I am disabled and I was just touched by this event and wanted to help." I have been using Rons jigs a couple of years and they are awesome! The Tackle Depot and Zeiners are the only places I know you can get a Rotten Ronnies Jig unless you can sweet talk Ron out of a few.
   Speaking of the Tackle Depot, John Laroe and Jerry Harper went out of their way to help sponsor us this year. Again they supplied lots of tackle, worms and a ton of gift certificates to the store. Jerry was also at the event again this year as a boater. They truly help make our event special.
   I would like to put this event in perspective and tell you a story. Better yet, I am going to let a couple of parents tell you what this event meant to them. Carol Towey mother of Kastin Towey wrote me the following about her son.
   Kastin was born with Spina Bifida, a neurological birth defect. He is an active 11 year old boy who is paralyzed from the waist down. Kastin loves his new wheelchair that allows him to pop wheelies easily. He just had his 16th surgery on May 13, 2007. Though he has many challenges, Kastin has a wonderfully positive attitude and is very much a people person. He can remember everyone's name from the day at the lake.
   The Kansas Highway Patrol CAST for Kids program gave Kastin an opportunity he would not have otherwise. A trip to the lake is not very wheelchair friendly and boating is difficult with the transfers from wheelchair to boat. You take away his wheelchair and you take away his independence. The CAST for kids program had special volunteers with a pontoon boat. Kastin was thrilled to take his wheelchair on the boat. Kastin had never fished from a boat before. Though he caught no fish, he loved the opportunity to be one of the guys. Kastin is continuously looking at his tackle box and is ready to use his rod and reel again. When I asked Kastin what he liked best about the event, he said, "I got my own tackle box and got to fish on a boat in my wheelchair."
   Dylan Clifton's father Brent Clifton sent me the following;

Most people don't realize the extent of effort and planning involved in taking special children on everyday outings. The one activity that is extremely difficult to include Dylan in is fishing. Wheelchairs are not off road friendly. Banks are usually somewhat steep and muddy around ponds. Fishing from the banks at local lakes is rock or sand covered. I know there are places designed for wheelchair fishing, but everyone knows fishin' from a boat is always best.
   For many years I have dreamed of buying a pontoon boat knowing how easy it would be to take Dylan fishing for an afternoon or a weekend. Then Tom Spencer and the Kansas State Troopers came along and invited Dylan to last years first annual C.A.S.T. event. The phrase "Catch A Special Thrill" has a meaning that words simply can not describe. A special thrill is exactly what we caught last year, no fish on the stringer, but one of the greatest times I have ever had with my son. His eyes were bright and smiles were huge running through the water on El Dorado Lake. Then this year was even better, we caught the thrill AND three fish, but it didn't measure up to riding on a boat through the wind with other special children.
   This year our Bass Pro Eddie May had his personal poles rigged and loaded on the pontoon boat with every intention on showing the kids a great time. Each and every volunteer involved were receptive to the needs of the children and the desire to make a difference in their lives.
   I can dig as deep as possible into my heart to try and come up with words to describe the gratitude I have toward Tom and all of the volunteers and sponsors involved in the Kansas Highway Patrol CAST events, but I can think of no words that can truly describe what this event has meant to Dylan and I. Being surrounded by caring and understanding people who are there for no other reason but to make a child smile and give them memories they will never forget is in itself humbling and deserving of great thanks. God Bless Tom and all involved in the Kansas Highway Patrol C.A.S.T. program for the Lord's special children!
   Whoa!! Brent just about said it all, however, this year the Kansas Highway Patrol CAST event has got some excellent coverage within the fishing world from coast to coast. It is truly one of the best events out there thanks to the efforts of the members of the Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas State Troopers Association, Kansas Department Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Peace Officer's Association, Derby Police Department, Mulvane Police Department, Kansas Bass Federation and its many local clubs and the many other sponsors that supported our CAST event.
   You can check out additional stories on the Kansas Highway Patrol CAST For Kids event, and photo's, or learn more about the Kansas Highway Patrol at the following sites:
www.fishing-tackle-forum.com
www.kansashighwaypatrol.org
www.myeyeonphotography.com
http://www.flickr.com:80/photos/68956378@N00/

Billy Raymond at www.bassfeed.com has two episodes on our event this year. The first is under BF-011 and the second just came out last week of June under BF-018 (Sonar and GPS choosing and using) he talks about the CAST Event put on by members of the Kansas Highway Patrol and what a great job Troopers do when they put on an event. He also talks about this event from a boater's perspective. Billy Raymond spends most of his time interviewing pros from the FLW, Bass Elite series and Women's Bass Tour, so it was very exciting to have him talk about the efforts of the Kansas Highway Patrol and our CAST event on a National Level.

Tight Lines!!
Tom Spencer

(Click on a picture to enlarge)

Event Information
Location	El Dorado, Kansas
When	June 16, 2007
Participants:	49 children 40 volunteers 45 Boaters
Partners & Sponsors:	KANSAS HIGHWAY PATROL KANSAS STATE TROOPERS ASSOCIATION KANSAS WILDLIFE & PARKS KANSAS PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION DERBY POLICE DEPARTMENT MULVANE POLICE DEPARTMENT DERBY FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE #16 EL DORADO FIRE DEPARTMENT COUNCIL OF CHIEFS, U.S. AIR FORCE MCCONNELL AFB DEFENDERS ASSOCIATION, U.S. AIR FORCE, MCCONNELL AFB AIRFORCE SECURITY POLICE ASSOCIATION, U.S. AIR FORCE, MCCONNELL AFB ENLISTED SPOUSE CLUB, U.S. AIR FORCE, MCCONNELL AFB AIRFORCE SERGEANTS ASSOCIATION, SUNFLOWER CHAPTER #972 SHADY CREEK MARINE THE TACKLE DEPOT SNAPrCO FISHING-TACKLE-FORUM.COM BASSFEED.COM KICKBACK JUNIOR BASS CLUB COPSNBOBBERS.COM KANSAS BASS CHAPTER FEDERATION MY EYE ON PHOTOGRAPHY.COM MY WAY CRAFTS QUIKTRIP CORPORATION PAPA JOHNS PIZZA SARA MULLEN CUSTOM OAKWOOD SIGNS GODDARD AUTO REPAIR DERBY WALMART SUPERCENTER FRITOLAY PEPSI RAINBOW BREAD SBC TELECOM PIONEERS LOU'S OIL SPOT ZEBCO PLANO TACKLE SYSTEMS EAGLE CLAW SKEETER PERFORMANCE FISHING BOATS AIR CAPITOL BASSMASTERS LIBERAL BASSMASTERS CHISHOLM TRAIL BASS CLUB SOUTHWINDS BASS CLUB JAYHAWK BASS BUSTERS AMERICAN BASS ANGLERS ESPN OUTDOORS BASSMASTER SERIES WALMART BFL SERIES
Children's Agencies:	Andover Schools Augusta Schools El Dorado Schools Goddard Schools Haysville Schools Maize Schools Mulvane Schools Park City Schools Rainbows United Towanda Schools Valley Center Schools Wichita Schools

Back to 2007 Events