Annual tournament in Lewisetta, Virginia, exemplifies small-town community spirit
Little Sadie Bates stood on the seat bench of a picnic table, intently running the edge of her
blunt plastic knife over a small croaker, removing the scales from the saltwater fish so-named for the frog-like croaking sounds it emits. The reason why the six-year-old was so industrious was simple – she caught those fish, at least some of them. And she was helping her dad Anthony prepare food for her family.
These were special fish, caught during the Lewisetta Junior Angler Fishing Tournament held earlier that day. The event, staged out of the Lewisetta, Virginia, marina on the last Saturday of July, had 40 kids signed up. The tournament categories are segmented by the children’s age and whether they fish from a boat or from the land, including docks.
Sadie was the winner of the age six and under group, fishing off a dock with the capable assistance of Anthony and her grandfather Dennis Streets. Her sister Naomi, age 9, and big brother Monte, 13, also fished. A past winner, Monte placed third in the age 13-16 category.
Streets ensures the kids stay involved, getting them registered for the event, providing rods and reels and helping with the bait selections for the tournament. Sadie caught nine fish. Bloodworms, expensive but effective, were the ticket this year to getting the fish to bite. Besides croakers, the kids caught spot, spotted seatrout and even a small flounder. Some children also caught white perch and juvenile red drum, called “puppy drum” locally. Only fish of legal size were kept and counted for the tournament.
“She was the only one of the kids who wanted to help her daddy clean and fillet the fish,” said Joan Streets, Sadie’s grandmother. “The boys (Monte and his best friend who also fished the tournament) stayed inside in the air conditioning, sleeping on the couch,” she added with a smile.
The Streets live on a beautiful saltwater creek near Lewisetta. Consequently, the grandkids can fish off their dock regularly. For some children, though, tournaments like this one give them their best opportunity to enjoy a morning of fishing. Interestingly, Joan added, her grandkids often don’t avail themselves of the chance to grab a pole and head down to the dock. There’s something about this tournament, though, that ratchets up the enthusiasm. “When they’re down there with the other children, who are also excited, they really like it.”
Dennis said anytime he can get the grandkids out fishing is rewarding, even if it’s sometimes exhausting as it is when you’re helping multiple youngsters on a hot Virginia summer day. “I take them every year and they love the hell out of it. Every one of those kids love to fish. We try to do this every year. It’s a family thing.”
Sarah Harman, who, along with an army of volunteers, coordinates much of the tournament, called it “a picture-perfect day. The tournament’s goal is to encourage our children to appreciate and enjoy fishing and to encourage them to be good stewards of our bountiful natural resources,” she added.
Local businesses make the event rewarding for participating youngsters, donating prizes for the winners and assorted raffles held in conjunction with the tournament. The winning junior anglers received gift certificates to RW Sports in nearby Callao. Additional gift certificates, along with rods and reels, shirts and other items were raffled.
“This tournament is self-funded, through the generous donations and sponsorship of the local community,” Harman said. “Any proceeds go to our local volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Callao Hometown Community Association Park, and Rappahannock Storm Youth Football.”
Tournaments like this one in Lewisetta aren’t particularly unique but they are important. Myriad studies show that it is important to get youngsters outdoors, whether it’s fishing, hunting, hiking or other activities. The kids need outdoor role models, people who can show them how they can be – should be - part of the outdoors experience. When communities come together to make this happen, it’s doubly rewarding. The youngsters connect with the heritage of their region and the adults derive satisfaction and fulfillment from knowing there are nurturing the next generations of conservationists.
Local businesses and individuals that sponsored or donated items include: Allisons Ace Hardware, Debbie’s Nails, Hillbilly Hot Dawgz, Los Portales, NNK Village Farm, Tootsie’s Diner, Everlasting Healing Massage Therapy, A Cut Above, Hawthorn Mercantile, Joe Self Realty, RW Sports, At Home Printing, Hard Rock Seafood, Callao Moose Club 917, Keith Hanks (Flowers Bakery), Steve and Vicki Jenkins, David O’Bier, and Michael and Nicole Hopkins VBFD.
Winners (listed in order of fishing) are as follows:
Boat Division
Age 6 and under
Brayden Bowles
Linden Harding
Brett Barnes
Age 7-12
Landen Allen
Raegan Harding (tie)
Ty Jones (tie)
Colton Vanlandingham
Age 13-16
Robbie O’Bier (tie)
Kara Bowles (tie)
Easton Bowles
Land Division
Age 6 and under
Sadie Bates
Onyx Gallihugh
Stella Wright
Age 7-12
Trever Scanlan
Connor Brann
Austin Cousins
Age 13-16
Kasen Patterson
Taylor Brann
Monte Bates
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