Registration for the 10th-annual “KidPro” fishing tournament, staged in conjunction with the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, is being held tomorrow and Friday (June 19-20) from noon-5 p.m. at Safeway.
The draw for spots then will be made Monday (June 23).
The “KidPro,” slated for July 20 this year, gives local youngsters aged 10-14 an opportunity to fish with professional anglers.
Seventeen pros currently are signed up to participate but organizer Linda Plumridge is hoping to recruit a few more prior to Monday’s draw.
Each child will receive a disposable camera to capture their hauls—and memories—in the catch-and-release event.
“KidPro” began in 1998, with Rick Socholotuk and his friend, Bill Morgenstern, spearheading the tournament.
“It began in the very beginnings of the tournament, in the first few years, my friend, Bill Morgenstern, had a daughter and she really liked watching Jimmy Klick because he was such a character,” Socholotuk explained.
Klick was a friend of Socholotuk’s, so he arranged for him to take Morgenstern’s daughter on a fishing trip. After they went, they had such an incredible time that Socholotuk decided it would be great if all kids could have the opportunity to fish with a professional.
“It took off really well, and all the pros that were in it said to them, besides the [boat] parade, was the high-point of their fishing,” he contended.
After teaching for 39 years, Socholotuk has a vast knowledge and breadth of experience regarding youths and their behaviour.
“I know that at a certain point they can follow directions—they can listen. And after they hit 16 years old, they’re driving and they’re chasing girls, so they don’t want to go fishing,” he joked.
Tournament sponsors in the beginning included Canadian Tire, Safeway, and Rainy Lake Sports. In fact, Socholotuk noted Mark Fontana of Rainy Lake Sports has provided most of the prizes for the “KidPro” tournament.
Retired for eight years now, Socholotuk has tried to devote more time to fishing. He’s currently involved with fishing the Professional Walleye Trail and the FLW tours.
“I’ve chosen to fish the major tours as an amateur so I can learn,” he explained. “There’s always a chance of learning.
“What I’ve found is I’m just having an incredible time with all the new equipment . . . my thought is kids will get the same kind of experience by fishing with pros here,” he added.
For Socholotuk, the success of the “KidPro” has been a “real eye-opener,” adding the pro anglers have told him it’s been an invaluable experience that’s almost always been received with positive feedback.
Some of the mothers, in particular those who are single, have told Socholotuk the experience was “awesome” because without the “KidPro” tournament, their kids would never have had the chance to go fishing—let alone learn from the best.
The youngsters also learn about fishing and safety in the boat.
Safeway is the primary sponsor of the event again this year and manager Kevin Langford is happy to be part of the tournament.
“We started last year for the first time and we just wanted to get involved in the community and get our name on an event,” he noted. “It started last year and we’re very happy with it so we’re doing it again this year.”
Langford stressed it’s important for Safeway to give back to its patrons and help out in the community.
Safeway is sponsoring the tournament in the form of donations and volunteers who will help present the prizes and do various other jobs on the day of the event.
A reminder that youngsters who have participated in the “KidPro” before are not eligible to register again.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
