MOUNDS – Families gathered to see who could find the biggest catch at the inaugural Muscogee Nation Festival Fishing Derby at Rocking Z Ranch on Saturday, June 20. The derby was open to kids under 12. Weather conditions provided a cool, overcast morning for fishers.
The idea for a fishing derby came from MCN Recreation Director Mike Sands (Mvskoke). He found Rocking Z Ranch to be a suitable venue for fishing, with its ponds big enough for a derby. According to College of the Muscogee Nation Extension Coordinator Chris Azbell, the derby contained a total of 300 tagged fish.
Sands enjoys fishing but admitted he no longer gets to break out his poles often. He enjoys providing opportunities for youth to engage in constructive activities and get acquainted with the outdoors.
“A lot of times it gets kids off the streets. There’s a lot of kids that grow up in an environment where that’s all they know,” Sands said. “We try to make it safe. They have to do hunter safety classes.”
When it comes to fishing, Sands has taught kids with varying levels of experience. He’s taught kids as young as five or six years old. For some, it takes a while to get acquainted with handling live bait and catches.
Steve Price and his son, Lakota (Mvskoke), brought their poles and hooks to see what they could reel in. Price said his family enjoys attending MCN events. They allow his family to be active in the community. Lakota and his mother are members of Arbeka Ceremonial Ground and also attend Peach Ceremonial Ground.
“We try to participate in everything every year with Lakota, just being around the community,” Price said. “We live on 10 acres in Beggs, and we have a big pond. He (Lakota) fishes there at the house a lot.”
Lakota has been fishing since he was two or three years old; he typically catches bass, crappie, and catfish. Two of his biggest catches include a 15-pound catfish and a seven-pound bass.
The fishing derby is just one of the many activities that can be enjoyed outside. Sands and his department are looking to host the derby at next year’s Festival.
“They get used to it, they like it. The outdoors are big. You have a lot of stuff to do outdoors and the kids, I’d rather see them go this way than the other way,” Sands said.
