June 27, 2002 – Young people from tots to teens get their chance to fish for prizes this Fourth of July holiday at the Virgin Islands Gamefishing Club's annual July Open Kids Tournament on St. Thomas.
The event this year is headquartered at Offshore Marine in Sub Base. Youngsters up to age 15 are eligible. Those 12 and under must fish by the Crown Bay dock, but those 13 to 15 can try their luck anywhere on St. Thomas as long as it's onshore, not out in the water.
There will be prizes for most fish caught, biggest fish, ugliest fish, cutest fish and funniest fish.
"The endearing fun of this event is watching the young kids fish," Harry Clinton, Gamefishing Club executive director, says. "It may be their first time fishing, or they may be regulars who look forward to this event each year. Either way, there's nothing like the look on a kid's face when they catch something — it just lights up."
Registration is free and takes place Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at two sites: the Gamefishing Club headquarters above Frigate East in Red Hook and Offshore Marine in Sub Base. Last year, more than a hundred junior anglers took part.
Partipants or their parents have to supply their own bait and tackle. The first 200 youngsters who register will receive free T-shirts, lunch (hamburgers, hot dogs, watermelon and ice cream), a drink and prizes.
Fishing starts anytime Fourth of July — that's Thursday — morning, but all fish must be brought in for weighing by noon. The weigh station is at Offshore Marine. Personnel from the Planning and Natural Resource Department's Fish & Wildlife Division will be in charge of weighing the catches.
In addition to the fishing competition, the tournament will feature an inflatable fun house where kids can bounce to their hearts' content and a dousing cool spray compliments of Fire Service personnel who will be on hand with their big yellow trucks and hoses.
For more information, call the Gamefishing Club at 775-9144.
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