Kids go fishing at third annual FISH rodeo in Coatesville

COATESVILLE >> Area kids, families and local mentors gathered along the banks of the West Branch Brandywine River early Saturday morning to take part in the third annual fishing rodeo organized by Fathers Involved Shedding Hope (FISH).

Local resident David Terry, who founded FISH as a nonprofit organization, said they stocked the river with 1,000 trout so there would be plenty of fish for the kids to catch. Terry grew up fishing in the area, and helped organize the fishing rodeo as a way to teach kids in the city how to fish and have a fun event for families in the area. The event was free for children in the city, but participants from neighboring communities were asked to pay a fee. Local businesses and organizations gave donations to FISH to help cover the costs of the trout and lunch provided at the event.

Jillian Brooks, 12, was at the fishing rodeo with her dad, Ed Brooks, a Coatesville firefighter. Jillian had already caught two trout by 10 a.m.

Five-year-old Nathan Cooper caught a tiger trout, which is somewhat rare compared to other types of trout. He was fishing with guidance from his mom, Daveenia Smith. They’ve attended the fishing rodeo each year since it was started.

Volunteer Mike March helped Cooper net his catch. March, an avid fisher who grew up in the area, has also attended every fishing rodeo so far to help teach the kids how to fish.

Terry said he expected about 300 children would be participating in the fishing rodeo on Saturday, which ran from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event was also set to run Sunday during the same time.

A new addition to the fishing rodeo this year was a fly fishing day for veterans set for Monday. FISH teamed up with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing.

For more information on FISH, visit facebook.com/fishcoatesville.

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