Fishing rodeo returns big smiles to small faces…
By Steve McCadams

Even though a few big ones got away there were enough small ones left to bring on huge smiles.
 
Shallow shorelines of Carroll Lake gave up lots of fish last Saturday in the 12th annual Steve McCadams’ “Casting For A Cure” kids fishing rodeo.
 
Despite hot weather the future fishermen took it all in stride and landed some dandy stringers of bluegill and catfish that must have known the young anglers were anxiously awaiting the opportunity.
 
Each year the big event lures kids age 15 and under from around the area to the shady shores on the second Saturday of June, and this year some 190 kids participated in the festivity which benefits the American Cancer Society. This year’s long-distance prize went to a youngster from Texas while two other participants were from Georgia.
 
Thanks to the support of donors each youngster goes home a winner as door prizes are awarded to all participants. Special recognition in the form of engraved plaques and bicycles were awarded to the young anglers catching the most and biggest fish in four separate age brackets.
 
“For a few hours each year I reminisce and recall fishing some of the same spots about 50 years ago when I slid around the beech tree banks with my cane pole clan,” said McCadams, who teams up with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency each year to host the popular event.
 
“A lot of kids have been introduced to the great sport of fishing at this little lake and again this year we fought fish and cancer at the same time.
 
“I love returning for the rodeo each year as it’s very special to me for a lot of reasons. I learned to fish here and just like these kids today I spent quality time with friends and family here. They’ll remember it too when they get older so hopefully we made a good first impression on them with the rodeo,” he said.
 
Parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, and other family supporters were out in force encouraging the young anglers as a nice crowd lingered for the weigh-in ceremony. Carroll County North’s Relay for Life team manned a concessions booth where cold drinks, hot dogs, and the smell of grilled hamburgers seemed to fit just right with the hungry fishermen.
 
Taking the award for most fish in the 5-and-under age bracket was Courtney Rhodes of Big Sandy while Sophie Pate of McKenzie had the big fish. In the 6-8-year-old bracket it was Brook Minor of McKenzie with the most fish while Gracie Webb, also of McKenzie, had the biggest fish.
 
In the 9-12-year-old age bracket Ashley Hillard of McKenzie landed the most fish while Drake Pate of McKenzie had the biggest fish courtesy of a 4.18-pound channel catfish. Drake had one of the nicest stringers of fish taken thus far in the rodeo’s history as several nice catfish fell prey to his hook. However, Ashley managed to find a nice spot full of bluegill and checked in several to boost her total number of fish caught.
 
Taking the top spot in the 13-15-year-old age bracket was Dylan Vinson with most fish while Adam Saylor had the big fish. Both anglers were from McKenzie.
 
“Each year when I see the enthusiasm on the faces of these youngsters and the moral support from friends and family it reminds me why we do this,” said McCadams, who is a cancer survivor and native of McKenzie.
 
“I appreciate the help of TWRA and also thank all the adults who took the time to bring the youngsters out to the rodeo. I’m already planning for next year’s event,” he said.
 
“We’ll be making a contribution to the American Cancer Society later this week which will be added to Carroll County North’s Relay For Life total.”

Childhood Cancer Facts

• About 9,510 American children under age 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2004
• 79% of these children will survive 5 years or more because of significant advances in therapy
• Cancer is still the leading cause of death from disease in children younger than 15 years of age
• Death rates from childhood cancer have declined since 1975 by 49%

Most common cancers of children:

• Leukemia (including ALL)
• Brain & other nervous system tumors
• Lymphomas (lymph node cancers)
• Bone cancers
• Soft tissue sarcomas (such as Rhabdomyosarcoma)
• Kidney cancers (such as Wilms tumor)
• Eye cancers (such as Retinoblastoma)
• Adrenal gland cancer

More Facts:

• Causes of most childhood cancers is not known        
• Now, at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospitals, grants from the American Cancer Society are totaling $1,254,000.00
• American Cancer Society was involved in cancer research breakthrough of determining the cure for childhood leukemia
• Due to advancements in treatment, survival rates for children with acute lymphocytic leukemia have increased from 53% to 85% since the mid 1970’s to the late 1990’s
• Camp Horizon, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, is Tennessee’s special summer camp for children ages 6 – 17 who have or have had cancer

We thank you for supporting the American Cancer Society and Steve McCadams for the 8th annual “Casting For A Cure” Kids Fishing Rodeo.  I look forward to seeing and meeting you at Carroll Lake on June 7th!

Sincerely,
Christy Futrell, Development Representative American Cancer Society