On Saturday June 3, fees were waived at Cypress Bend Park courtesy of the Sabine River Authority, as 78 fishermen took to the banks for the fourteenth annual Fish Fest. The event was open to school age children registered in kindergarten through 12th grade for the school year 20222023 attending schools in Louisiana and Texas.
Fishing began at 7:30 a.m. The fishermen were reminded to make sure to have their heaviest fish to the scales for weigh-in no later than 11:00. A bagged lunch and cold drinks were served at 10:30 and then it was time to announce the winners. Sabine SWCD Supervisor, Mr. Chris Pearce was the emcee of the event. First thanks were extended to the TBLA. TBLA is a steward of the natural environment, and the Sabine SWCD is delighted to partner with them to offer this youth fishing tournament. Mrs. Gaynell Goodeaux represented TBLA. Mr. Pearce then thanked the business sponsors, Cypress Bend Park employees, and volunteers, along with the Fish Fest coordinators, Mrs. Becky Anderson, SRA and Ms. Nancy Windham, Sabine SWCD, Secretary.
Mr. Pearce went on to announce the winners in each of the categories. In the Bass Category, Timothy Bridges caught the only bass of the day weighing 1.81 lbs.
Placing in the Bream Category were: First Place, Cassidy Ellis Weight .46 lbs; Second Place: Jayla Martinez; Weight .35 lbs; Third Place: Aurora Byerly; Weight .34 lbs.
First Place in the Catfish Category went to Rylee Simas weight 1.25 lbs; Second Place Barrett Penfield with a weight of 1.05 lbs; and Third Place went to TyJavion Lynch weighing in at .57 lbs.
In the Other fish category First Place winner was Brandi Meshell weight 1.78 lbs; Second Place Kaylee Stewart with a weight of .90 lbs; and Third Place went to Easton Penfield weighing in at .75 lbs In the Turtle Category Rylee Simas, came in with First Place her turtle weight .70 lbs; Second went to Vivian Campbell, weight .53 lbs; and Third Place was Cassidy Ellis, weight .42 lbs.
No one placed in the Crappie Category this year.
We had 3 Grand Prizes generously donated this year!! Mr. Jonathan Porter and wife Holly Porter owners of Porter Guide Service, Zwolle, Louisiana, donated two separate tours. First was a 4-hour guided crappie tour for three won by Joseph Martinez, and second was a Sunset tour for four Vincent Korb was the winner of this prize. Living the Dream Guide Service, Many Louisiana, owned by Jerry Thompson donated a 4-hour guided fishing trip for four, Lathan Horton was the winner of this prize. We are so grateful to these two guide services for their very generous donations!!
We had several other amazing prizes generously donated by our local business owners. Mr. Roy Joe Harris, Owner Bridge Bay Resort, donated a two-night stay in one of their two-bedroom cabins. The winner of this prize was Evie Juneau. The Fisherman’s Galley Restaurant, owned by Mrs. Pam Tedder, donated a $25 Gift Certificate, winner Landon Cutright; Lee Lee’s Neu Designs, owned by Mrs. Natalie Neugent, Mrs. Lee Sepulvado, & Mrs. Candice Wilson also donated a $25 Gift Certificate, won by Reginald Gassaway; Mrs. Cheryl Palmer owner of Unique Nail Salon, donated a Gift Certificate for a manicure, won by Lucas Lee; Bub T’s Tamale House owned by Bub and Trina Sepulvado donated a $20.00 gift card won by Jeffery Lynch. Ronny Brandon Attorney donated $100.00 which was used to purchase door prizes. Sheriff Mitchell donated several door prizes. Interstate Building Materials, Many La, gave a $150 donation. Whitney Lee, owner of Sublimations by Whitney, Florien La, donated 4-$25.00 Wal Mart gift cards Jayla Martinez, Acen Hammer, Lathan Horton and Kaden Meshell were the winners and two wonderful 20 ounce tumblers won by Layla Carnline and Alaina Stewart. An anonymous donor donated $200.00 to help with the purchase of food and door prizes.
Other generous sponsors include, Toledo Bend Lake Association, Mr. Gary Moore, President, Zwolle, LA; Sabine River Authority, Mr. Warren Founds, Executive Director; Many, LA; Hale Lure LLC, dba Stanley Jiggs, Hosston, LA; Turquoise and Treasures, Mrs. Deborah West, Owner; Zwolle, LA; Huey & Lela Malmay, Zwolle, LA.
All fishermen still present at the end of the day received a door prize and we had lots of great prizes, thanks to the generosity of our local business owners, individuals, and Deborah West, volunteer, for contacting sponsors and businesses to donate door prizes.
This tournament would not be possible without our volunteers who donate their time and energy. A big thank you to goes out to, Alan Williams, Gaynell Goodeaux, Ned Goodeaux, Becky Anderson, Anita Manshack, Jim Pratt, Chris Pearce, Patti Brown, Beckie Williams, Kelsey Stewart, Sue and Ernie Arnaud, Ana Thompson, Gloria Thompson, Drew Coombs, Alexis Coombs, and Nancy Windham.
News articles, letter invitations by mail, Facebook, and word-ofmouth are the methods used to locate youth fishermen to participate in Fish Fest. Registration is from April 1st through 30th every year or to the first 130 fishermen.
Be sure to like and follow Sabine SWCD on Facebook to see pictures taken at the Fish Fest and for updates on registering for next year’s event.
USDA NRCS and the Sabine SWCD are an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. To ask questions or voice comments call the Sabine SWCD at (318) 256-3491 Extension 0.