N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission News Releases

RALEIGH, N.C. (July 16, 2007) – A lifetime of free fishing may seem like a dream to most anglers but for three lucky youngsters, it’s a reality. Malik Jones, 12, Paige Thomas, 10, and Andrew Lemmons, 12, will be able to fish for free for the rest of their lives courtesy of Progress Energy and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

They won lifetime fishing licenses, the grand prizes given away in a statewide drawing to celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week, June 2-10. The winners were randomly selected from more than 3,000 other young anglers statewide who participated in 42 fishing events held across the state during the week.

The licenses, donated by Progress Energy and valued at $450 each, give Malik, Paige and Andrew lifetime fishing privileges in all North Carolina public waters, including coastal waters and Public Mountain Trout Waters, where a special fishing license is required.

The three winners traveled to Raleigh on Wednesday to accept their licenses and certificates from Wildlife Commission Chairman, Wes Seegars, during the Commissioners’ meeting.

In addition to the fishing licenses donated by Progress Energy, Bass Pro Shops and the Wildlife Resources Commission gave away 150 fishing-related prizes, including rods and reels, tackle boxes and fishing towels.
Andrew, of Kernersville, lives to fish. He has probably cast more lines into more waters in the eight years he’s been fishing than most kids his age. He loves to fish for largemouth bass and catfish and divides his fishing time equally between freshwater and saltwater venues.

The timing of his win is fortuitous since this is the first year that the grand prize has been a combination freshwater/saltwater license. As of Jan. 1, a Coastal Recreational Fishing License is required to fish in the state’s coastal waters.
Andrew traveled to Raleigh with his mother, Renita Brindle, and his father, Keith Lemmons, both of Kernersville. He is a rising 7th grader at Kernersville Middle School.

Malik, of Rocky Mount, is another young angler who loves to fish. He was just 7 years old when he made his first trip down to a local pond with his dad, where he caught nine sunfish. That impressive catch nearly five years ago got Malik hooked on fishing. He fishes every chance he can get, mostly with his dad, Christopher.
Malik attended the Commissioners’ meeting with is parents, Wanda and Christopher Jones, his 8-year-old brother, Kewan, 8, and his sister, Neaja, 7. He will attend 7th grade at Edwards Middle School in Rocky Mount this fall.

Paige Thomas’ first fishing experience was a memorable one – all the other kids made fun of her because she was fishing with her “Barbie Doll” fishing rod. As it turns out, that Barbie Doll rod worked just fine — Paige was the first and only person to reel in a fish that day!

She’s been fishing ever since and even digs her own worms for bait, although she doesn’t bait her own hook just yet. But she figures she’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn how to bait her hook particularly now that she’s won a lifetime fishing license.

Paige, who is from Aulander, attended the Commissioners’ meeting with her parents, Patricia and Wes Thomas, her grandparents, Vickie and Keith Phelps, and her brother, Josh, 5. She is a rising 5th grader at Ahoskie Elementary School.
For more information on fishing in North Carolina’s public, inland waters, visit the fishing page or call the Division of Inland Fisheries, (919) 707-0220.