On April 26, 2025, families with children who have disabilities gathered at Guntersville Civitan Park for a free fishing event. One by one, these excited families boarded eight boats and set out onto the beautiful waters of Lake Guntersville with their dedicated fishermen.
Joe Davis, the event director, stated, “Some of the boats present today traveled a 300-mile round trip, donating their time and resources to make our 18th annual fishing event possible.”
Coulter Andrus said, “We set out at 8 AM this morning, and within five minutes of arriving at our fishing spot, Vaughn caught his first fish.”
Vaughn, who is 17, exclaimed, “It was my first time fishing, and I caught over 20 fish! My favorite was reeling in a big bass that weighed 4.5 pounds.”
Johnathan Andrus added, “Vaughn was really excited about reeling in his first fish; seeing his expression and reaction was truly special.”
Vaughn, his dad, and their mentor, fishermen, hooked over 30 fish in total, including a large catfish and twenty-one bass.
Kaden, 14, exclaimed, “I was so happy! It was the biggest fish I’ve ever caught. I didn’t think I could do it because all the fish I had caught before were small. This one weighed about 4 or 5 pounds, and I reeled it all by myself!”
Bob Brooks said, “Yesterday, I was out here fishing in perfect weather conditions, but could not catch anything. So, I called my wife and asked her to put it on the prayer chain; we needed to ensure these kids caught fish today. I returned to the same spot I fished yesterday, but still no luck. I said, ‘Oh Lord,’ but I stayed persistent. The fish started biting as soon as the sun came out, and I had the best fishing day I’ve had all year. We caught multiple fish weighing 4 to 6 pounds—it was a blessing!”
Karsen recounted, “At first, we didn’t catch anything, but they started biting towards the end. It was hard to reel them in because they were putting up a strong fight and pulling on the line, but it was exciting when they finally surfaced.”
Roger Breedlove added, “Karsen caught three catfish, with his personal best weighing in at 50 pounds. He also caught two more fish, each weighing between 30 and 50 pounds. What we created was a memory of a lifetime. It’s always our pleasure to participate in USSA fishing trips for kids; it’s always a great time.”
Josh Williams and Jarrett Tempus took Blake, 14, and Dominick, 19, out on their boat. They reeled in three large catfish, the biggest of which weighed an impressive 76 pounds. The crowd watched in amazement as they pulled the giant catfish from the livewell, as water flew everywhere from the thrashing of the massive tail.
Bob Brooks insightfully stated, “Every year, the kids participate in this event; no matter the weather, the fish always bite. This is my 14th year attending, and we’ve always caught fish. Today, we were all blessed to have the kids and their parents all catching fish.”
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the anglers guides who made these fishing trips possible for the families: Bob Brooks, Cedric Poynor, Coulter Andrus, Jarrett Tempus, Johnathan Andrus, Johnathan Long, Joseph Clark, Josh Williams, Kevin Breedlove, Roger Breedlove, and Wayne Reed. Thank you to Donnie Fountain, Lonnie Fountain, and Bass Pro Shops for their generous donations of fishing rods.
We are also very thankful for Joe Davis and his team’s unwavering commitment and hard work, as well as the exceptional support provided by the City of Guntersville Park & Recreation, Villa Barone Hilltop Manor, Glenn Morris Memorial, Michelson Family, Hampton Inn, Papa John’s, and Publix.
We extend our warmest congratulations to all the families for their bountiful catch and the beautiful memories they have created. This event was a true testament to the strength of community and the joy of giving. God bless!
If you are interested in getting involved or know of a deserving child or veteran, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].