Fishing with Kids
Youth event continues to grow
DUNMOR
Mike Kirby got hooked on fishing as a teenager in the 1970s. With a pole in hand and worms for bait, he wore a path to a neighbor’s pond. Later, as a father, Kirby shared his love of the sport with his children. “My oldest boy was fishing on the pond bank in diapers,” he recalls. “I’d catch them and let him reel ’em in.”
Kirby, a Pennyrile Electric consumer-member, previously served as president for both the Lake Malone Bass Club and the Warren County Anglers. He’s also hosted fishing tournaments for adults throughout the years.
In 2009—with the encouragement of his friend Don Harper—Kirby founded Fishing with Kids, an annual Christian-focused event that encourages kids to spend more time outdoors. But there was one caveat: Kirby didn’t want any kids or their families to have to pay to participate. To ensure there were no costs involved, Kirby and Harper began collecting donated items from sponsors.
Mike Kirby presents a prize during a previous year’s tournament. Photo: Shelby Belcher
That first year, Fishing with Kids kicked off at Lake Malone with 107 kids in attendance. Fast forward to last year’s event—358 kids registered. Prizes are given in different categories, and a child doesn’t have to catch the biggest fish to win. “Every kid there gets a prize,” Kirby explains. Prize giveaways include tents, fishing gear, bikes, kayaks and more. Then there’s the grand prize every kid dreams of taking home—a new jon boat, complete with a trolling motor and battery.
“It’s just an awesome event,” Kirby says, crediting Fishing with Kids’ success to God, the Lake Malone State Park staff and the approximately 50 volunteers who lend a hand, noting “it’s a group effort.” Even so, event board member Lannie Whitmon recognizes Kirby’s year-round dedication. “He does this for the kids’ benefit only,” says Whitmon. And for kid-at-heart fishing enthusiasts age 50 and up, this year Kirby started something new—a monthly Old Timers tournament.
These days, Kirby doesn’t go fishing as often as he’d like. But when he isn’t running his business, Kirby Siding, or planning community events, Kirby still enjoys the sport as much as he did when he was a teenager. Only now, he fishes out on the lake from his boat. “I go every chance I can go,” he says. “I just love to fish.”
Fishing with Kids is held annually at Lake Malone State Park in Dunmor on the third Saturday in June for kids ages 15 and under. This year’s free event will be June 20. For more information, visit Fishing with Kids on Facebook.
AMY COBB is the author of two book series for children, Band Geeks and Libby Wimbley.
