For the past 5 years, First Farmers Bank & Trust has sponsored the Jim ‘Moose’ Carden Kid’s Fishing Clinic in Kokomo, IN. Bart Alexander, Vice President and Commercial/Ag Lender with First Farmers, and his family, have been an integral part of this event’s success for the past 14 years. The clinic is a 2 week annual event that teaches children in the area how to fish and gives them the tools to do so. It began in 1983 as the Kokomo Kid’s Fishing Clinic and was headed by Jim ‘Moose’ Carden and John Martino. Carden passed away in 1990, and Martino chose to rename the event in honor of him. Martino is the current chairman of the event. Also sponsoring this event was Zebco, the City of Kokomo, and the Kokomo Park and Recreation Department.
This year, the event took place from July 13th-July 25th and 135 kids participated. During the first meeting, the kids received a rod and reel donated by Zebco and a T-shirt sponsored by First Farmers and Adams Auto Group. The following two sessions began with casting practice in the Kokomo High School Parking lot and followed with various guest speakers. Then the kids were split up by age group and went to two classes each session, with topics including lure presentations, types of rods and reels, outdoor ethics, seasonal patterns, types of bait, and fish cleaning. The sessions ended with “Happy Half Hour” where the kids won various door prizes geared toward helping their fishing experiences. Funds for the door prizes were raised from the Adams Auto Group 6th Annual Jim “Moose” Carden Kid's Fishing Clinic Benefit Bass Tournament which was held in May. During the last session before the big tournament, the kids were entertained by Trick Caster Scotty Lucas, who traveled up from Tennessee with his father to perform at this event.
Saturday, July 25th, was the big day of the event, the tournament. Approximately 70 individuals donated their time, their boat, and their equipment to take the kids fishing on the Kokomo Reservoir. Everyone met at the reservoir at 7:00am. John Martino welcomed everyone to the event and expressed the rules and schedule of events, and Mayor Goodnight shared a few words. The kids were out on the water from 8:00-11:00 even though rain showers came through throughout the morning. At 11:00, all of the boats and kids came in to weigh their catch. The Hoosier Open staff weighed each child’s catch and determined who caught the biggest fish in each category. Categories were based on age and were as follows: 6-9 years old, 10-12 years old, and 13-15 years old. The winners for the event were:
6-9 years old: Emily Bales, 5 fish, 23 lbs
10-12 years old: Andrew Nearon, 6 fish, 16 lbs
13-15 years old: Camden McGrew, 6 fish 13 lbs
10-12 years old: Andrew Nearon, 6 fish, 16 lbs
13-15 years old: Camden McGrew, 6 fish 13 lbs
In addition to a large trophy, the first place winners also received a rod and reel and a tacklebox donated by Outcasters Bass Club in Indianapolis. As Emily Bales was the overall winner with her 15 lb carp, she also received $25 cash and a certificate from Jeff and Terri Rood of the Hoosier Open. Every child who participated in the tournament received a trophy. After the weigh in, lunch was served to the public, the volunteers, and the kids and parents. Lunch included two hogs, donated by Frank Simpson of Simpsons deer processing in Young America, hotdogs, hamburgers, several sides, and homemade ice cream. Scott Lucas and his father spent the day at the event, helping announce winners and talking to the kids and parents.
More pictures from this event are located in a photo album on our Facebook page.
More pictures from this event are located in a photo album on our Facebook page.
