Horton's program a winner for all involved

Paul Stackhouse, Outdoors, The Decatur Daily

Across the years, I have personally got to witness smiles on the faces of youngsters and special needs adults while participating in Tim Horton’s “Fishing for Kids” program.

It’s just one of the many ways that the professional Bassmaster Elite Series angler from North Alabama has given back from his many seasons of fishing success.

The 2010 edition of “Fishing for Kids” is coming up Oct. 9 on Pickwick Lake out of McFarland Park in Florence.

Hearing from Decatur’s Don Gowen this week, he made it known that volunteers are needed to make this year’s event the best ever.

Gowen with the Bassmasters of North Alabama is assisting Horton in gathering things needed for the day of fun and fishing.

One of the much-needed items are boats and boat captains to take the participants out on the lake.

The boat captains are asked to show they have at least $100,000 minimum of liability insurance.

While on the subject of boats, people with pontoon boats that can be used are also needed because some of the special-needs folks will be fishing from wheelchairs.

I think that statement alone speaks for itself just how special of a project this is.

Gowen also pointed out the need for volunteers to help with the tournament and the event picnic. People are needed to help with everything from registration to organization.

To hold such as event cost plenty and funding is needed to help offset the many expenses of the program.

Gowen said sponsorships are low this year and all donations and contributions are greatly appreciated.

Since Tim began the program in 1997, nearly 1,500 children and adults have taken part in the fun. I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve heard Horton speak with upbeat emotion about “Fishing for Kids”. He is known to say how he gets more enjoyment out of this program than anything else he does in the world of bass fishing. That says quite a lot coming from someone as successful as Horton.

The boaters and volunteers will need to be at McFarland Park no later than 10 a.m. the day of the tournament as the participants will be arriving shortly afterward. If you know of any special-needs child or adults, or disadvantaged youngsters who would like to participate in the event, you need to sign up as soon as possible so proper preparations can be made.

For further information, you may call Brad Whitehead at 256-483-0834. Also, you may visit Horton’s website at timmyhorton.com.

Shootout time
The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau is hosting the Southern Team Shootout Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, 2010, which is making its first appearance on Wheeler Lake.

The tournament is open to BASS Federation Nation Club members and is a fish with your own partner event.

The entry fee to participate is $600 per team and there is a 100 percent payback.

Takeoffs ill be at 7 a.m. with 3 p.m. weigh-ins at Ingalls Harbor.

For more information, visit decaturcvb.org and click on the “Things to do” link. You may also call the DMCCVB at 256-350-2028.