MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga. -- Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany opened its gates June 5 for the 22nd annual Buddy Fishing Tournament at Covella Pond.
Free and open to the public, the tournament hosted eligible anglers under the age of 15 who competed for trophies in several categories such as largest fish and most fish.
The most fish category was judged by the combined weight of all fish caught by an individual.
Overall, anglers took home 688 pounds of fish, and final tallies indicated 245 registered children competing in their respective boys or girls categories.
Ronnie Severn caught his first fish at Covella Pond, and the three-year-old angler was elated when his grandfather helped him reel in the channel catfish to the shore.
“Ronnie is more than excited about fishing now. I think this will leave a huge impression on him for the rest of his life,” Charles Culpepper said.
Other children like Trinity Banks, found that fishing can be hard work when the sun is blazing and the temperature rises.
“I know where to go next time, and I hope to get a cool spot in the shade,” she said.“That’s where you need to be.”
According to Eddie Parramore, natural resource manager, Natural Resources Branch, Installation and Environment Division, MCLB Albany, his office, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, stocked the pond with approximately 4,000 pounds of channel catfish for the fishing tournament.
Although the number of registered children increased this year, the total catch weight was less than in the 2009 fishing tournament.
“For some reason they aren’t coming in like they did last year,” said Mike Wilson, father of two sons who fished near the amphitheater. “Some days you get lucky and some you don’t.”
According to Wilson, they have made plans to attend the 2011 Buddy Fishing Tournament.
The largest fish caught during the tournament was by Alex Chaffee, 10, when she caught largest fish of the day registering in at three pound 11 ounces. This also won her the largest trophy of the day.
In all, the base awarded 12 trophies in the boys and girls categories.
Trophies were provided by the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Wives Thrift Shop through funds raised from sales at the Thrift Store. They also provided concessions during the event.
Fishing tournament results
Girls Category
Largest fish
Alex Chaffee, age 10 3 pounds 11 oz.
Name Weight
1st place Angel Hoffmann, age 9 11 pounds 4 oz.
2nd place Sakura Hicks, age 3 11 pounds 0 oz.
3rd place Heaven Massey, age 11 10 pounds 0 oz.
4th place Brooklyn Grimes, age 14 9 pounds 0 oz.
5th place Nikki Jones, age 4 8 pounds 6 oz.
Boys Category
Largest fish
Davso Quimby Jr., age 11 2 pounds 0 oz.
Name Weight
1st place Justin Seabolt, age 7 16 pounds 14 oz.
2nd place NeAhmad Alfred, age 7 15 pounds 14 oz.
3rd place Coleton Labadie, age 6 8 pounds 0 oz.
4th place Davso Quimby Jr., age 11 7 pounds 9 oz.
5th place Kelvin Thomas, age 12 7 pounds 8 oz.