Mike Ford,, organizer of Saturday’s Iola Police Department’s 14th annual Hooked on Fishing, Not On Drugs (HOFNOD) fishing derby, know there is one certainty: there are plenty of fish to be caught.
“The kids who have had the most success are the ones who have fished on the bottom,” Ford said. “They’ve pulled out some pretty big fish from that pond.”
Youngsters ages 2-17 are invited to fish in Craig Abbott’s pond, near the intersection of North Cottonwood Street and Miller Road. Parking will be permitted at the Grace Lutheran Church and Cameron Corporation parking lots along Miller.
Registration begins at 8 o’clock, with the first 300 registrants to receive a prize, Ford said.
The youngsters will be permitted to choose from a number of potential prizes.
Ford noted that past participants often found themselves getting the same prize in different years.
“This gives them an opportunity to get something different.”
Ford is encouraging youngsters to preregister online at www.cityofiola.-com, in order to expedite the process on Saturday morning.
Rules will be announced at 9, and youngsters can begin fishing at 9:30.
Fishing lasts until 11 o’clock, at which time a lunch of hot dogs, chips and drinks will be served.
Three prizes will be handed out in each age group, for the largest fish, most fish and most fish in terms of weight. A trophy also will be given to the smallest fish caught overall. Age divisions will be 2-8, 9-12 and 13-17.
Volunteers from other local law enforcement agencies will assist with the fishing derby.
Fishing derby casts off Saturday
