Chesapeake Energy’s Fish Fest provided fun for all

Sunny skies and hot temperatures were just the right combination as youth fishermen met at the Sabine River Authority’s Cypress Bend Park to participate in the first annual Chesapeake Energy Fish Fest on Saturday, June 5. Chesapeake Energy Corporation and the Sabine Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) partnered to sponsor the first annual event.

“As a district, everybody’s budget gets smaller and smaller,” said Pat Boudreaux, Sabine SWCD Chairman. “We all have to look for the partnerships that allow us to share resources, such as the relationship we have formed with the folks at Chesapeake Energy Corporation and we are thankful for all their support.”

The morning began with eager fishermen arriving early and staking out their spots on the banks of Cypress Bend Park ready to start the competition at 9 a.m. Anglers had dreams of catching one of the top three fish in the five specie categories of bass, bream, catfish, white perch (crappie), and other. All fishermen were reminded the weigh-in time was no later than 1 p.m. and the fisherman had to be present to accept their prize. As the day continued some fishermen decided it was more fun to take a swim on the sandy beach at Cypress Bend Park than to try their luck with their fishing pole.

Eighty-two fishermen entered Cypress Bend Park at no charge courtesy of the Sabine River Authority. The event was open to school age children in kindergarten - 12th grade for the school year 2009-2010. Pre-registered youth from Louisiana and East Texas were eligible to fish. Each fisherman provided their own fishing equipment and bait.

The tournament was competitive and educational, with an emphasis on fishery biology and species identification. All fishermen received a colored Fish, Snakes and Turtles of Toledo Bend Reservoir Booklet developed by John Rogers, District Conservationist, Many Field Office, and printed courtesy of the Louisiana USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Youth fishermen also received a Chesapeake Energy Fish Fest cap and a ditty bag loaded with information about Toledo Bend Lake as well as fun summer activity items compliments of the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, Sabine Medical Center, Sabine State Bank, KWLA Radio and Sabine River Authority.

Excitement was in the air as the last fish were weighed in. Following the tallying of the results, Chris Pearce of the Sabine SWCD Board of Supervisors introduced the members of the board who were present including Pat Boudreaux, John Alan Williams, and Margie Brown. Pearce also announced the sponsors. Finally, it was time to announce the winners. All winners received an engraved medal and rod and reel combo, along with a tackle box, gift card, or cricket cage.

Winners of the 2010 Chesapeake Fish Fest Bass Division were First Place, Brian Rivers, Jr., of Converse, with a weigh-in of 3.36 lbs.; Second Place, Trey Guccione of Zwolle, weight 1.98 lbs.; and Third Place, Cameron Gauthier of Lafayette, weight 1.72 lbs.

Top fishermen in the Bream Division: First Place, Jacob Cheatwood of Many, weight 0.34 lbs.; Second Place, Victoria Carroll of Florien, weight 0.25 lbs; and a tie for Third Place went to Kaitlyn Foshee, weight 0.22 lbs; and Kyle Hopkins, weight 0.22 lbs, both of Florien.

Tyler Lewing of Florien placed first in the Catfish Division with a weight-in of 2.12 lbs; Second Place went to Mayci Lewis of Many, weight 1.52 lbs; and Third Place, Brian Rivers, Jr. of Converse, weight 1.38 lbs.

The category for Other Fish ended up being the most fun with First Place for a garfish going to Cameron Gauthier of Lafayette, weight 3.52 lbs; Second Place, Matthew Lovelady of Zwolle, landed a fresh water drum that weighed 3.21 lbs; and rounding out the category with Third Place was Zachary Cook of Florien with a 2.32 lbs fresh water drum.

Surprisingly no white perch (crappie) were caught from the banks. The fishermen still benefited as the prizes were given away as door prizes along with many other door prizes. Fishermen who did not win in a prize category were eligible to win a door prize.

Lunch and cold drinks were provided to all fishermen thanks to our sponsors.

The Sabine SWCD is proud to partner with Chesapeake Energy and the other 2010 sponsors included: Big Star Grocery of Many, Zwolle, Toledo Bend, and Mansfield; Threads by Deborah, Deborah West, Owner, Many; Toledo Bend Lake Association, Jack Vermeire, President; Nichols, Inc., Debbie Nichols, Owner, Many; O. E. Williams Timberland, Many; Sabine River Authority, Many; Harold Anderson Dozer Service, Zwolle; Toledo Tackle, Kurt Carver, Manager, Many; Twin Valley Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc., Natchitoches; and Wal Mart Store #876, Phil Medine Manager, of Many.

Special thanks are extended to the following: Sabine River Authority, Becky Anderson, and Cypress Bend Park Staff; John Rogers; USDA NRCS Earth Team volunteers including Roy Lee Brown, Guy Chowns, Paige Edwards, Vikkie Lafollette, George Randle Manshack, Chastity Moore, Ben West, and Deborah West; and The Sabine Index of Many.

Participants can visit two websites for snapshots taken at the Fish Fest. Check out the Dugdemona SWCD website at http://dugdemonaswcd.shutterfly.com/activities, thanks to Vikkie Lafollette and toledobendoutdoors.com thanks to Renee Strickland.

To ask questions or voice comments call the Sabine SWCD at (318) 256-3491. The Sabine SWCD/USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office is located in the Wright’s Shopping Center in Many.

All USDA and District services and programs are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status or handicap.