On Saturday June 22, fees were waived at Cypress Bend Park courtesy of the Sabine River Authority, as 46 fishermen took to the banks for the Fifteenth annual Fish Fest. The event was open to school age children registered in kindergarten through 12th grade for the school year 20232024 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 Mrs. Gaynell Goodeaux, TBLA President. TBLA is a steward of the natural environment, and the Sabine SWCD is delighted to partner with them to offer this youth fishing tournament. 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, First Place, Nola Bland Weight 2.54 lbs; Second Place: Javionne Kelly; Weight .82 lbs; Third Place: Percy Myers; Weight .66 lbs.
Placing in the Bream Category were: First Place, Tyler Thomas .41 lbs; Second Place: Kurt Simoneaux; Weight .33 lbs; Third Place: Kennedy Dauzat; Weight .30 lbs.
First Place in the Catfish Category went to Kurt Simoneaux weight .61 lbs; Second Place Ashton Pyror with a weight of .58 lbs; and Third Place went to Lilly Rinehart weighing in at .44 lbs.
In the Other fish category First Place winner was Ashton Pryor weight 1.02 lbs; Second Place Lilly Cassidy with a weight of .80 lbs; and Third Place went to Chesleigh Willams weighing in at .11 lbs.
In the Turtle Category Lilly Cassidy, came in with First Place with one whopper of a turtle weighing 7.41 lbs; Second went to William Tarver, weight 4.08 lbs; and Third Place was Mya Ferguson, weight 3.34 lbs.
We had no one place in the Crappie Category this year.
Our Grand Prizes this year generously donated by Living the Dream Guide Service, Many Louisiana, owned by Jerry Thompson was a ½ day guided fishing trip for four, Hunter Remedies was the lucky winner. We are so grateful to Mr. Jerry Thompson for his very generous donation!!
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 Silas Myers. The Fisherman’s Galley Restaurant, owned by Mrs. Pam Tedder, donated a $25 Gift Certificate, winner Brooklyn Myers; Lee Lee’s Neu Designs, owned by Mrs. Natalie Neugent, Mrs. Lee Sepulvado, & Mrs. Candice Wilson donated a $20 Gift Certificate, won by Mya Ferguson; Mrs. Cheryl Palmer owner of Unique Nail Salon, donated a $25 Gift Certificate, won by Jayla Martinez; Bub T’s Tamale House owned by Bub and Trina Sepulvado donated a $20.00 gift card won by Lexi Eaves.
Other generous sponsors include, Toledo Bend Lake Association, Mrs. Gaynell Goodeaux, President; Sabine River Authority, Mr. Warren Founds, Executive Director; Keiths Toledo Bend Tackle; Ronnie Brandon Law Office: Interstate Building Materials; Turquoise and Treasures, Mrs. Deborah West, Owner; Huey & Lela Malmay.
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 goes out to, Gaynell Goodeaux, Ned Goodeaux, Jim Pratt, Chris Pearce, Patti Brown, Mona and Stanley Murray, Chrissy Ebarb, Kelsey Stewart, Ana Thompson, Gloria Thompson, Drew Coombs, Alexis Coombs, Jason Arena, 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.