The 2009

Hardee County Nature Fest Kid’s Fishing Tournament was a huge success. This free children’s tournament is open to all children ages from five to fifteen.  This year’s attendance reached 155 children.  

The fun began Friday night May 8 with a hamburger and hot dog cook out. All were invited to camp out for the night, several of the Castaways’ club members took them up on this offer and with a few last minute preparations made their families settled down for the night.

Campers were awoken Saturday morning by the sounds of truck engines and boat motors as the adult tournament began. Volunteers of the Castaways 4-H Sports fishing Club made their way to the club’s trailer which had been converted into the tournament’s registration area. Before the sun could rise in the sky the children began to arrive.

Each child was registered into one of three age groups 5 to 8, 9 to 12 and 13 to 15. All who registered received a free goodie bucket, and a new Flambeau tackle box

  They then began their attempts to catch the one. All fish caught were taken to one of three weight station where they were weighed and safety return to the lake.

At the end of the tournament awards were given for the largest fish caught in each age group, and the most fish caught in each age group.

I hope to see you next year!

All American Container Company of Tampa

Peace River Electric Cooperative

Mosaic

North American Fishing Club

YMCA of Wauchula

Manuel Citrus, Inc.

Hardee Ranch Supply, Inc

Balmoral Assisted Living

CF Industries

Wal-Mart of Wauchula

Everglades Foods, Inc

DMF Bait Co.

Flambeau

Mid-Florida Hardware

Burger King of Wauchula

Hardee County Sheriff's Office Youth Fund

Hardee County Sheriff Arnold Lanier

Hardee Rotary Club

BridgeMaster Bait Shop "The Fishing Candy Store"

FWC

106.9 WZZS "The Bull"

Nature Fest 2009

Meet the winners

Biggest fish in the 5-8 age group:

1st- Scottie Meeks

2nd- Hannah Clanton

Total Weight for the 5-8 age group:

1st- Destiny Fields

2nd- Scottie Meeks