Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany

MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY, Ga. -- Every year the Georgia Department of Natural Resources stocks Covella Pond with approximately 7,000 fish, at no charge.

Fold-out chairs, tackle boxes, fishing poles and buckets lined the pond?s grassy bank June 7, when children along with their buddies, spent the morning fishing in the 16th Annual Buddy Fishing Tournament hosted by the base's Natural Resources Office.

The rules were explained to everyone before the games began.

The fishing pole could only be in the child?s hands. The buddy or parent was allowed to assist the child, but not to fish for the child.

The fishing began with the sound of a buzzer at 8 a.m.

Donning rain jackets and coats, the 102 children who came to fish were on a mission: to win a trophy for catching the biggest and the most fish.

?This event is for the children,? said Eddie Parramore, the Environmental Branch?s natural resources manager. ?That?s why the rules were set up the way they are, so the children can do it themselves.?

The event focused on the youth, however adults enjoyed themselves as well.

?I think this is a good opportunity for my children,? said Maj. Samuel L. Henry, job title.  ?My children get the chance to see that there are fun things to do besides play video games and watch television.?

During the day the Staff Noncommissioned Officers? Wives Club sold refreshments to the fishers to raise money for their club. They also purchased all the trophies that were presented to the winners.

At 10:30 a.m. the tournament ended and it was time for the children to have all of their fish weighed.

Winners were selected among boys and girls.

The first place winner for the girls in total weight of all the fish caught was Jami edge with a total weight of 12 pounds and 3 ounces.

The girl with the biggest fish of the day was Taylor Lewis with a fish that weighed 3 pounds, 12 ounces.

For the boys, Travis Henley caught the highest total weight of fish, 28 pounds and four ounces.

The boy with the biggest fish was Scott Lehman with a fish that weighed 3 pounds, 5 ounces.
At the end of the tournament the children, whether they had a trophy or not, took home the fish they had caught.