The following kids are registered and ready to go on June 14 for the 11th Annual Neil McKenzie Youth Fishing Derby: Dawson, 13; Ellis, 12; Kady, 12; Liz, 13; Echo, 16; Kaiden, 1; Brady, 8; and Lucy, 8.  Yeah!  

In honor of yesterday's "Throw-Back Thursday" tradition in Facebook, we post this photo of Neil's "original" fisher-kid.  :)
Note the date stamp at the top of the photo: December 70.  This was quite the ice-fishing catch for a 6-year-old!

A few of the comments representing all of those received with this year's pre-registrations include the following:

"We look forward to this every year. Great thing you do in honor of Neil, and for the youth."
"This is our first time participating."
"Sounds like fun."
"So excited."
"Nobody does it better. The kids all have twinkles in their eyes. Thank you and your family and sponsors."
"It was great last year. I would not change a thing."
"If you need help with anything, please let me know."
"First time experience."
"Perfect!"

It's time to get those kiddos pre-registered!  Call 715-646-2060 or register online at http://www.neilmckenzieyouthfishingcontest.org/online-registration.html

KEEP KIDS FISHIN'!

The focus of this event is to take kids, who wouldn't normally have the opportunity, fishing! Why? Because as those of you know who DO fish, being in the outdoors and learning to fish gives a kid something positive to do. It gives adults something to do WITH kids. It teaches patience, confidence, coordination, appreciation, and, of course... story telling. :-)  

To borrow a phrase from another well-known sporting enthusiast, Ron Schara: "Remember, introduce a kid to the great outdoors.”  That is EXACTLY what this event is about -- KEEPING KIDS FISHIN'!  Thanks, again, to everyone who believes in this mission and works hard to give kids this opportunity!

OK. So fishin' MIGHT not heal broken bones... but it helps pass the time and puts smiles on faces!  :-)

This year is shaping up to be another fun day of fishing.
Fishing guides and boat drivers are volunteering, kids are registering, individuals and businesses are donating prizes and contributing money to sponsor the day, and adults are volunteering to help in any way.

What is super fun for the originators of this event is to see former fisher-kids returning as fishing guides and volunteers.  Years pass and kids age, but the al-LURE (ha! get it?!?! LURE??) of fishing never fades.

Thanks, everyone, for KEEPING KIDS FISHIN'!

(Photo submitted.  Thanks, Melissa W.!)

Enjoy!  We thought you might find this song relevant to our mission -- certainly to our fishing guides, at least!!
(Shared with written permission by the author and performer, Randy Joe Heavin.  Thank you!)

Even the Game Wardens believe in KEEPING KIDS FISHIN'!  What is wonderful is that one or two DNR personnel come each year to answer questions and teach our fisher-kids.  Learning how to fish AND how to be good conservationists is all part of the day! Denny O. of Frederic weighs Leah V.'s catch -- as DNR Game Warden Jesse A. is on hand. (2012)

Note: When your registration is successful online, you will see a statement similar to the following: "Thank you! We have received your information."  Later, you will receive an email from k_sylte@yahoo.com also acknowledging your registration.

Even though the Neil McKenzie Youth Fishing Contest is free to participants (thanks to generous donations by many individuals and businesses), fishing licenses are still REQUIRED according to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regulations.

If you are uncertain about these regulations, PLEASE refer to guidelines online or stop in at your local bait shop or sporting goods store to ask.
http://dnr.wi.gov/permits/residentlicense.html

Yes, we want to KEEP KIDS (and adults) FISHIN' -- legally!  ;-)