Reel Connections

iT Was 4:30 a.m. on m ay 21, a sunday. ryleigh, 6, alaina, 10, and 12-year-old e mma ran into their father’s bedroom and said, “Dad, get up! it’s time to go! Do you want us to make you some coffee?”

HUGHES

Smith Mountain Lake program provides area kids with a chance to catch big fish — and make bigger memories. by KAREN

Dustin Via got out of bed, got dressed and shuttled the three children to crazy horse marina in moneta, to participate in the Take a Kid Fishing event offered by reel connections for Kids inc. Dustin and daughters arrived at the marina at 5:30 a.m., just in time for their boat chaperone, John hughes to greet them. after giving him big hugs, ryleigh, alaina, and emma were fitted with sea Towprovided life jackets. next, the girls each received a cooler that contained water, juice and snack bars.

They were ready to go fishing.

The sun wasn’t up yet when professional striper guide Tommy Thompson, operator of rock creek striper guide service, arrived to pilot hughes, Via and his three daughters to catch some fish. Thompson was one of 13 professional fishing guides who arrived at crazy horse marina and captain’s Quarters to take young anglers and their parents out for a morning on the lake. Via noted that daughter ryleigh started the fishing trip by declaring that she would catch the biggest fish, adding that the siblings “were all excited about going out on a boat and trying to catch a big fish.” hughes, aka “m r. John,” said that Tommy Thompson began the adventure by explaining such safety rules as seating arrangements, the fire extinguisher’s location and the importance of staying seated while the boat was moving. sean sabol volunteered for Take a Kid Fishing as a chaperone on The Fat shad, with skipper Dakota Wright. sabol added that the guides went to areas of the lake where they were most likely to find lots of fish. The captains then told the anglers to get ready when the fish were nearby, gave encouragement and high-fives, and shared information about the lake, water safety, conservation and different baits.

Via said that he enjoyed watching his daughters try to hang onto the poles while struggling to land fish. his favorite memory of the day was the look on their faces when they got a fish into the net. The proud father recalled that ryleigh, as promised, landed the biggest fish. his other daughters were not left out, though, as each child on Tommy Thompson’s boat caught at least six fish. The young anglers on the other guide boats caught fewer, but each took home at least two stripers, along with some catfish and a few perch. “m r. John” noted that emma, alaina and ryleigh decided to let the fish go after they had each landed two “keepers.” The girls took turns releasing the fish, saying that they were “freeing Willy,” hughes added. after about 3 ½ hours on the lake to Take a Kid Fishing, the guide boats gathered at crazy horse marina. other boats whose captains volunteered to ferry the young anglers were hooked Up c harters, captain Tom c harters, captain marc charters, clint’s striper guide service, Kenny’s striper service,

ALL ABOUT

reel Connections for Kids, Inc.

 Reel Connections for Kids, Inc. provides the event each spring, as well as a reunion event in the fall. Reel Connections for Kids Inc. is a nonprofit organization that works closely with Smith Mountain Striper Club, Lake Christian Ministries and SML Good Neighbors to organize and recruit participants for activities that connect children with angling opportunities. Visit the organization's website at reelconnectionsforkids.org to see a list of sponsors, view additional photos, see a list of upcoming events and learn about ways to support its Mission. Hughes, who wrote this piece, is a board member.

Freedom Fishing, squid hound, spikes prime Time Fishing, striper Frenzy and patriot Fishing.

at crazy horse marina, emma, elena and ryleigh met up with 22 other junior anglers who had enjoyed a successful morning of fishing. “The kids were fascinated by the process of cleaning the fish,” hughes said.

While volunteers cleaned the fish and put them in coolers for the families to take home, the kids, parents, guides and volunteers ate hot dogs and hamburgers that magnum point marina staff grilled for them. Two Department of Wildlife resources officers gave brief talks about working together to take care of the lake for future generations. each child received a reel connections he added that the family cooked striper for the first time after arriving home that evening, and it was really good. Folks can get a nice haul when they take a kid fishing. o pposite page, clockwise from top left: Alaina Via, 10, fishes with c apt. Tommy Thompson; i saiah h ouf, 9, shows off his catch; Dillon Ashby, 12, holds a citation Striper; and Ryleigh Via, 6, fishes with her father, Dustin Via. This page: ShaQuon Battle with his sons Jayceon Battle (standing), 10, and Sencere Battle, 8.

T-shirt, a rod and reel, and a tackle box filled with fishing supplies. l iberty University gave out goodie bags, each of which included a voucher for four passes to a liberty home football game.

Via said his daughters had such a wonderful time that they are ready to go fishing again. The father had a ready answer for anyone who wanted to know about signing up their children for the event. “it’s a great experience for kids and parents,” Via said. “This is a great group of people who really care. This was definitely good for me and my girls”.