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Lines In, Tent Open, & Auction to Follow |
| July 18, 2008 |
| A trip to the town docks will find noted corporate sponsors remain and have continued to remain steadfast in their support of Tred Barta and the philosophy that families and friends that fish together, thankfully, stay together.
Last evening, during opening ceremonies, participants and sponsors and tournament staff were fortunate enough to stand, together, at the arrival of the kids from the Boys & Girls Club. Amid a round of applause and an inspirational message from Boys & Girls Club staff, we heard why the money from this tournament is important to today’s kids and tomorrow’s future. It was on the stage, where a jet lagged Tred Barta, took the microphone, that we heard of his thoughts on values and honesty and morals and all of those words and emotions, we know true to angling. The moment, with kids and attendees focused on the stage, was patriotic as we saluted the flag and this country and remembered those who defend and have defended this nation, state, county, town, and even wood planked docks here in Beaufort, NC.
Today, at 9:43Am, the docks of Beaufort are notably absent of fishing talk and fishing boats and Captain’s and mates and anglers and the lot that follows them. The fishing, which is really a second thought for the tournament, began this morning amid the rumble of diesel engines stirring this quaint town at 5Am, as boats toured offshore for lines in at 8Am. The first fish of the day, released by Impulse, was a sailfish. As this is the 5th Annual event, the 5th billfish release, who won a Captain’s sea bag, was awarded to the Shutter Dog who also released a sailfish at 9Am. Fishing today will continue until 2Pm. Captain Barta amended the rules last night to encourage any boat that didn’t want to jeopardize taking young anglers offshore, that inshore and near shore species would be welcome at the docks, provided anglers intended upon using the fish for consumption.
For those who may be curious and or need an excuse to navigate the streets of Beaufort today, the action and festivities will commence at 3Pm today when anglers return to the docks with fish. It is here that young kids, tomorrow’s anglers, weigh dolphin fish, Wahoo, shark, mackerel, pinfish, amberjack, cobia, grouper, and any other fish that are pulled from the water today. This is the opportunity for kids to walk in the footsteps of fathers and grandfathers and moms and uncles and strangers and role models as they have the stage, beneath the scales. Like many tournament formats where adults revel in the opportunity in weighing a fish that may win prize money, our smallest anglers on up to those in the senior angler division, will weigh fish, stand by a board advertising their name and boat and age, and smile for the camera. However, instead of anglers receiving money for a fish, on Saturday night, we give trophies, medals, and a healthy Barta, “Hip Hip Hooray!”
We encourage you to come down tonight to experience the tournament firsthand. There are many noted items on the silent auction table and a raffle includes items from a big game reel and rod combo to a wardrobe enhancement from Salt Life apparel company. We need, and invite you to come to the tent tonight, on Front Street, and open up your heart and wallet for the Boys & Girls Club. This tournament weekend is about the kids at the club, the fortunate kids that are fishing, and the idea that we can help through fishing.
However, this tournament is really about the future. It is about showing the community and those that pursue life through fishing, that you can raise money and spirits by catching a fish.
We feel, as does Tred that fishing brings you closer together. We are fishing in Beaufort, this weekend, and we hope to bring you closer, too.
See you beneath the tent!
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