Kids' Fishing Clinic
Bud Fields tells about the beginning of the Jim "Moose" Carden's Kids Fishing Clinic.

Bud Fields with grandchildren Kensi and Chad

A number of years ago, a personal friend of mine was discussing an idea he had considered, with the Mayor of Kokomo, Indiana. The man's name was Jim "Moose" Carden. Jim was a giant of a man standing well over 6'-4" tall. It was easy to see why his friends called him "MOOSE."
Well, "Moose" explained his ambitions and told the Mayor, who was also a angling fanatic, the future of angling depended very much on the "Youth of Today."

"Moose" had talked with a number of local anglers about starting a special "Kid's Fishing Clinic" and wondered if they would be willing to donate some of the time and knowledge to this "Dream" he had considered for educating kids about fishing. Before long, "Moose" had acquired the permission from the Mayor to commence planning the event and if he needed any help, the Mayor would "do whatever it took to help out."

Well friends, the program was born after many long hours of planning and discussions. Many volunteers donated hours of time and also many personal financial donations and the very first program was offered to the kids. That first program was 19 years ago and every year the program continues to grow and expand and, believe it or not, many of those first participants are now enrolling their own kids in this same program.

The program is offered to the first 120 kids that have their entry forms filled out and turned in to the Kokomo Parks and Recreation Department office. The office opens at 7:00 AM and I know for a fact, the line begins to form as early as 4:00 AM (I have seen the 120 total filled BEFORE 8:00 AM). I know - I have stood in that line attempting to register a few of my grandkids.

The reason for the total of 120 kids is due to the fact that there is a "Graduation Day" at the local reservoir and the Department of Natural Resources mandates a limit of 60 boats maximum in ANY event conducted there. Two kids go in each boat and there is normally at least five standby boats in case of problems.

The classes begin on a Monday evening and we utilize the auditorium of the local high school. We also have full access to approximately 20 classrooms where many different fishing topics are discussed and shown. Some of the topics are: Catch and Release, Clean Fishing, Seasonal Patterns, Using Live Bait, Spinnerbaits, Crankbaits, Plastic Worms and Grubs, Casting Techniques, Fishing Laws, as well as Casting Practice in the parking lot.

Bud demonstrates lure presentation in a fishing pool

We also have access to the swimming pool area where I am fortunate enough to conduct a class entitled "Lure Presentation." I line the participants along the edge of the swimming pool and I make different presentations such as "Overhand casting, underhand casting, flipping, pitching, side arm casting and my favorite technique... skipping. The kids love to watch me skip a worm under the diving board. I also show the kids how to work the lures and what the lure is doing in the clear water and how to entice a fish to strike the lure.

The first week of classes are held on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and the second week, the classes are conducted on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Each evening, we gather the kids in the auditorium for the last half hour and we pass out door prizes that have been donated by local and major manufacturers and distributors. Many of the local anglers also donate items such as fishing rods, tackle boxes, lures, etc. Every child present will also receive a free rod and reel combination donated by a major manufacturer and will win at least two nice door prizes.

The final event of this program is featured on Saturday. It is called "Graduation Day Ceremonies." From approximately 4:00 AM that morning, a caravan of trucks and fully rigged bass boats start arriving at the boat ramp. The boat captains donate their time, equipment and expertise so that all 120 kids can be taken out on the Kokomo Reservoir for a 3 hour fishing tournament. Ecery fish caught, as long as it meets state size limitations, is brought in, counted, weighed and released back into the lake. The total weight is recorded along with the participant's name and age and the kids are divided into age groups: six to ten years, and 11-15 years old. The participant with the highest total weight in their respective age group will be declared the winner and receive a nice size trophy. Every kid participating wins a smaller trophy and they also get to have their picture taken along with their boat captain for memories in later life.

Bud and Kensi display the results of teaching kids to fish

After the weigh-in ceremony is completed and the kids receive their awards, all the kids and their families are invited to a HUGE picnic. One of the volunteers has donated and prepared two roasted hogs for each of the past 15 years and there is also Coca Cola donated by the local Coca Cola distributor, potato chips, donuts, orange juice, milk. No one goes home hungry.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has donated free airboat rides to anyone and everyone that wants to go for a ride and that is a real treat for young and old. It is a real treat for me particularly when a young kid comes up after the program ends and they either shake my hand or put their arms around me and give me a big hug and say, "Thank you for taking me fishing."

It sometimes brings a tear to your eyes and then you smile and when you tell them, "It was my pleasure." You will be telling them the truth!!

We lost Jim "Moose" Carden to cancer a few years ago and with the dedication of another personal friend of mine, Jim's legacy continues. John Martino took control of being the chairman of the event and I volunteered to be the co-chairman as I have been associated with the program every year since it's inception.

I am also proud to announce that a monument has been erected at the site of the event and it has been named for the "Gentle Giant" and his dream of teaching kids how to fish. The Jim "Moose" Carden's Kid's Fishing Clinic is prospering every year and we have been asked many times, "Why don't you conduct two or three of these events a year?" Well, if the people asking conducted just one of these events a year, they would see the work and dedication that goes into just one event and it would be extremely difficult to conduct other events.

"Moose" had a saying he liked to use often. He told me, "Bud, if you fish for food, you will always be hungry. If you fish for money, you will always be broke... but if you fish for fun... you will never be disappointed!"

It is very rewarding to me personally to be in a local mall and some young kid comes up and asks me if I remember them. Many times, they tell me, "You taught me how to fish at the Kid's Fishing Clinic." Other times, a young man in their early twenties or thirties will come up to me and say, "Aren't you Bud Fields, the outdoor columnist for the Kokomo Perspective?" I will calmly say, "Yes." Then they tell me, "I really enjoyed fishing with you when I was a participant in the Kid's Fishing Clinic and now, will you please take my child fishing like you did me?"

Many of the kids participating in these fishing events come from broken families and they don't have the opportunity to go fishing or their parents are too busy working to meet financial strains and they will really appreciate the attention you show them and when they catch a fish and shout, "I GOT ONE," and you see that big smile on their face, it takes you back to when you caught your first fish.

If you, or your organization are interested in conducting such a program, please feel free to contact me for any information you need. I assure you it is a very worthwhle venture.