The Kid's Fishing Derby in Douglas County, Nevada, is reportedly the nation's largest free fishing derby. It is a wonderful event where kids get a reservation to fish at a specified time in a stocked irrigation ditch that flows through the main park in the county. There is no charge for this exciting experience that occurs annually in the first week of June.
The ditch is blocked off and the U.S. Fish Hatchery stocks it with close to 2,000 fish. The largest this year 
was 8 pounds. Many are tagged, and if a child catches a tagged fish they get special prizes. There is a prize f
or the largest fish caught in each of the fishing sessions.
Just for showing up the "fisherkids" get hats, bags, and other neat logo gear. There are hundreds of volunteers that help register, bait, catch and clean the fish. The volunteers are there for the love of the sport of fishing, and with the hopes of introducing the children to the world of fishing. If a child doesn't have a pole they are given loaner poles.
No parents go in the fishing areas -
the kids go in and are assisted by the volunteers. The volunteers help them bait their hook, cast, learn the patience to let the fish get the bait, and land it once they are caught. Every child has the opportunity to catch two fish within their time allotment. This year our grandson caught two fish, but lost three - an impetuous eight year old. Of course, his mother, uncles and extended family all fished in the KFD when they were little - it is a community tradition.
The fishing area is divided in age group areas so kids are fishing near others their own age. Ages 3-12 are allowed to participate. The event goes for two days with a steady progression of kids, siblings, parents and grandparents coming with great anticipation and hope that only fishing can lure them in with.
The event has many sponsors and support that make it possible including Raley's Supermarkets, Douglas County Sherrif's Office, Lahonton Fish Hatchery, Nevada Fish and Game, Douglas County Parks and Recreation, and many, many others. It is a heartwarming event that evokes the best of Americana. Catch it some time!
I posted a blog about irrigating with my grandson last week. We had many adventures including finding a nest in a tree that had eggs in it. We peeked and left it alone.
This week we got water again and I was out by the tree. I peeked and saw l
ittle birds, actually huge mouths waiting for their mother. We invited my grandson for dinner last night and I mentioned that he should show his mom the "eggs".
We all walked out and lo and behold, they had hatched! He was really excited. Fun times.
There I was last night, the pasta was done and I went out to put my wine glass on the table on the patio so I didn't have to juggle my dinner plate, salad bowl and wine glass. Priorities, don't you know? What I saw was the peak of another beautiful sunset over the Sierras. Camera was handy so I could share the moment with you.
I blogged about our rescue goat a couple of weeks ago ... before we got him, My Wife Really Got My Goat ... Now He's Home. Blogged once after he came home to introduce you, but we've gotten to know him better since then My Wife Really Got My Goat ... Now He's Home.
His is a really sad story, a foreclosure-abandoned rescue. Buster, as we call him, is a very special animal ... very, very special. He has clearly been around people and treated very well.
He interacts with kids, dogs, chickens - anything is just fine with him. He is guarded at first, but ends up rubbing his head against those he likes - a goat thing. He loves people.
He's wrecked havoc on our trees - he's much taller than the pygmy goats we have and he can reach a lot
higher. He loves to eat the trees ... and anything else he can wrap his lips around. We tried letting Buster and the other goats out in the pasture to eat some of the weeds that the horses didn't eat. He was keen on getting out...a goat thing. He escaped to the road ... with Angel, a rescue pygmy of ours. Got them back after they stopped traffic and the neighbors called while the wife was busy gathering them. Then they immediately escaped the pasture into the garden. Okay since nothing is planted yet ... except the fruit trees that they enjoyed.
Buster is palling around with Angel - they are our two rescue goats. They are also the adventuresome ones. Buster pulls a tree branch down from on high and Angel eats the leaves on the end that is close to the ground. Its fun to watch the teamwork, but tough on our trees.
Buster is such a love that he runs to or follows closely any human that comes near him. Clearly he was once loved. This is a rescue from a foreclosure property where he was left with his two pygmy goat buddies. Our friends took the pygmies and we took Buster. The pygmies are as sweet and loving as Buster according to our friends. Clearly they were loved ... and probably still are. Money caused a break up of their family and we are blessed with his presence, but surely they are missed by their previous owners.
We love Buster, our kids love buster, and our grandkids love Buster - he's a family favorite already. My mom even loves Buster who she met Sunday at her 88th Birthday celebration. We had no expectation of such a lovely animal when we agreed to the rescue, but we've already benefited from our relationship and I'm sure we will all continue to do so as he is so very special.
I love it when my wife gets my goat ... in a literal sense that is!
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