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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (Sept. 28, 2004) — If there were such a thing as a “CatfishMasters Classic,” 12-year-old Katie Paxton just might be the next Bill Dance or Jimmy Houston. Back in June, Katie reeled in nine whopper channel cats at a kids’ Fish-For-Fun event held at Lake Rim in Fayetteville. Yesterday, in almost the exact same spot she fished in June, Katie reeled in even more catfish — six to be exact — and along with that impressive haul, a lifetime fishing license courtesy of Progress Energy and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Lucky girl that she is, Katie was randomly selected from more than 2,100 other young anglers to win one of three lifetime comprehensive fishing licenses given away as part of North Carolina’s celebration of National Fishing and Boating Week, June 5-13. Emily Blaylock of Thomasville and Payton Robinson of Highlands were the other two winners. Because she was unable to travel to Raleigh in July to receive her prize, Katie had to wait for the Sept. 27 Greenwings event in Fayetteville where Wildlife Commission Chairman John Pechmann presented her the lifetime fishing license and certificate. More than 500 people attended the annual Ducks Unlimited Greenwings fishing event at Lake Rim. After the presentation, Katie, her 13-year-old sister Tabitha, and parents, Jerome and Christine, took advantage of the great weather and the ponds brimming with bream and catfish to haul in a collective 20 fish. More important than the fish they caught, however, is the time they spent together. According to Katie, fishing is a family affair — she’s been fishing with her dad and sister since she was a toddler, when her dad taught her to fish.
The lifetime fishing license, donated by Progress Energy and valued at $250, gives Katie lifetime fishing privileges in all North Carolina inland public waters, including designated Public Mountain Trout Waters. Visit the License
section for more information on the lifetime fishing license and
other licenses available
from
the Wildlife Commission. |
