DALE HOLLOW-This Saturday is shaping up to be a big day for fishing in and around the lake here.

Not only is it the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Free Fishing Day across the state, but the annual Kids Fishing Rodeo will be held here from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery.

In celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week, rainbow trout will be released into the creek below the fish hatchery on Saturday morning and the annual free event is open to youth under the age of 15.  Participants will receive educational packages and those that register will be eligible to receive prizes.

The Obey River, below Dale Hollow Dam, will also be stocked on Saturday morning so that adults and children over the age of 15, and younger children not wishing to participate in the Fishing Rodeo also have an opportunity to fish during Free Fishing Day.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA), and citizens of Clay County will hold one of more that 2,500 events nationwide in celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week, June 1-9.

More than 500,000 people are expected to participate in these events, which are aimed at encouraging Americans to fish and to learn about natural resource stewardship.

To volunteer for the Kids Fishing Rodeo, call 931-243-2443.

Memorial event set for June 15

The 16th Annual Kevin Watson-Johnny Rich Memorial will be held here at Cedar Hill Marina Saturday, June 15.

Those fishing are encouraged to arrive an hour earlier (6 p.m.) to enjoy a meal provided by volunteers in return for the participants’ donation through their entry fee, before blasting off at Cedar Hill Marina at 7 p.m.

Those taking part will be competing for “bragging rights” and the chance at first, second, and third place trophies, but 100% of their $25-per-man entry fee will be used to fund scholarships in both men’s honor to be given to local students each year.

The event will follow the “any species” format–where smallmouth, largemouth, and Kentucky spotted bass are eligible to weigh in, and it will feature a five-fish limit adhering to lake rules.  The weigh-in will be held at 1 a.m.

Participants will have the chance to win a little money this year thanks to a big-fish side-pot for both smallmouth and ‘green fish’ (largemouth or spot).  A $5 entry fee for the smallmouth pot and another $5 for the ‘green fish’ pot will be collected from each angler wanting to participate.

Another feature of the event goes along with the fun atmosphere.  Unlike most tournaments, teams can have as many fishermen in the boat as they want–three or four man teams are welcome.

Night tourneys are in full swing

The night-fishing season is in full swing, as Saturday night smallmouth-only events are being held up the lake at Star Point, a two-fish of either kind tournament is being staged at Mitchell Creek on Thursday nights, and others are underway.

See a future HORIZON to get caught up on the action so far and the most recent results available.

FREE FISHING-Kids will line the banks Saturday for the Kids Fishing Rodeo at Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery held in conjunction with the TWRA’s Free Fishing Day. (Horizon file photo)