“Fishing With an Attitude” 2008 is now in the history books, including a few challenges in coordinating this year's function. This is the 14th year that Miami Schools and the Gila County Sheriff’s Office have sponsored the outing & once again, the participants had an enjoyable experience while attending the annual overnight at Roosevelt Lake.
The objective is to pair at-risk middle school age students with those who are excelling to obtain a positive experience for those falling behind. It also gives all students positive interaction with authoritative agencies. As this is a school related activity, a variety of learning opportunities are offered.
With Roosevelt Lake at 99% full just finding an area to house 145 students & 40+ adult chaperones was the first consideration for the committee. But a suitable site was found & the kids began arriving around 9 am on Friday, April 18th to pursue that elusive ‘big fish’.
Throughout both days educational presentations were given. One of the major attractions, a jump from a C-130 by Air Force PJ’s was cancelled due to mechanical problems with the aircraft. Other than that, everything else went well. On Friday afternoon the Forest Service (TBRD) gave a wildlife/environmental interactive program, a Gila County K-9 Officer provided a demonstration with his drug sniffing dog (Zelma) & explosive sniffing dog (Rusty) & Arizona Youth Partnership in conjunction with Freeport McMoran talked about drug abuse.
Saturday morning the kids were treated to a fire suppression demonstration by FS wildland firefighters as well as a discussion on fire prevention, the U.S. Coast Guard Aux. gave a talk on water safety & the Gila County SO dive team provided a demonstration on water rescue & recovery.
Of course the main attraction was catching fish & going swimming, though the kids did admit the water was a bit chilly. Several fish were caught though, including some nice sized crappie & catfish. The winners of this year’s trophies as pictured above, were: 1st place, Chris Stout (Lee Kornegay); 2nd place, Cruz Gonzales (Hayden) & 3rd place, James Harris (Lee Kornegay).
Schools from all over Gila County attended again this year including: Hayden, Lee Kornegay, High Desert, Destiny & Young.
The 2008 FWA committee would like to recognize the following businesses, agencies & individuals for their generous contributions & support: Freeport McMoran, we couldn’t have done it without their volunteers, who helped put up tents, took fish off hooks, helped keep the kids hydrated with water & Gatorade & in general did whatever whenever & wherever needed (FMI ROCKS); Arizona Game and Fish, who provided poles & bait for any student who needed it; Gila County Search and Rescue, who provided security, medical & cooked the food & the U.S. Forest Service from Tonto Basin Ranger District, who provided the site, picnic tables, toilets & trash receptacles for the weekend. Others contributing to the event included: Shamrock Farms, Wal-Mart, Safeway, Highway 188 Bait and Tackle, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Kentucky Fried Chicken, U.S. Coast Guard Aux., Gila County Sheriff’s Office (including the dive team & K-9 unit) U.S. Forest Firefighters, ‘Nana’ Alicia Estevane & Johnny & Sylvia Smith.