What a splendid day May 18 was for all of the families who attended the second annual S.A.F.E. Kids Fishing Derby at Nottely Marina. The parking lot was filled. The sun was shining and the fish were biting. The excitement was evidenced by all who participated.

This was a terrific way to celebrate the ending of the school year. Families enjoyed hot dog meals, on shore fishing games, the playground, a boat ride, and of course the serious fishing Derby. Adults paid $1 for admission, and kids were free.

A total of eight prizes were awarded including the top Four Largest Fish caught. Blake Mounts came in First Place by catching the largest fish, a Bass. For his win, Joshua received a free half day fishing charter for his family. This charter was provided by Jeremy Seabolt at Lake Nottely Fishing Charter.

Hunter Tryzbiak’s Brim catch landed him in second place. Hunter also won a free half day family fishing charter from Jeremy Seabolt.

Hunter Trybiak, 2nd Place, a Brim

Third and Fourth Places overall were also Brim. Caleb Bates won at Third Place, and Kyler Sharpe scored in Fourth Place. Both of these winners received a free half day of fun on a Family Pontoon Rental compliments of Nottely Marina.

Kyler Sharpe 4th Place, a Brim and First Catch, a Bass

R.J. Rich’s Brim catch won the Tiniest Fish. R.J. caught a Brim; Lindsey Hammond caught the Ugliest Fish, a Catfish; Ashlyn Passmore won the Prettiest Fish, a Bass. Kyler Sharpea , won the First Catch of the Day, a Bass. He also came in 4th place overall in the Fishing Derby. Said Kyler, “I can’t believe I caught seven fish!”

RJ Rich tiniest fish, a Brim

Lindsey Hammond Ugliest Fish, a Catfish

All eight winners also received a fishing rod, a bait and tackle box and other goodies provided by S.A.F.E.’s generous event sponsors.

Donation only Pontoon Boat Rides were held every 30 minutes. This was an exciting opportunity for many attendees to take their first boat ride on the lake.

Volunteer Donna Towery entertained the younger children with shore games.

All food and drinks items were a dollar each. Participants enjoyed hot dogs, coleslaw, chips, popcorn, desert, Sparkling Water and regular water, all contributed by our event sponsors.

Eating dessert at the fishing derby

Three prizes were awarded in a six for $5.00 raffle. A random drawing was held and one lucky participant won a beautiful rod and reel and a tackle box.

Twenty five dollar raffle tickets were also sold for a 2013 14′ jon boat with mercury four stroke and trailer. Nice setup! Tickets can be purchased at Nottely Marina and sales are limited to three per person. Only 100 tickets are being sold, and not many are left. So stop in and grab a ticket soon, or you will “Miss the Boat”! All proceeds will benefit S.A.F.E.

The S.A.F.E. Kids Fishing Derby was so much fun that one youngster said she didn’t care about winning a prize – she just wanted to fish. Another young lady said she did not like to fish but she was looking forward to the Derby ending so she could jump in the lake.

The Doucette brothers fishing on a log

Many participants said that this year’s S.A.F.E. Kids Fishing Derby was much better than the one last year.

Gail Kreher, Secretary of the S.A.F.E. Board of Directors served as the event Emcee. Many of you may remember her as Gail Janus, Weathercaster for 11Alive, Channel 11. Said Gail, “The Doucette family is a strong presence in the community. Their generosity, hard work, and dedication to S.A.F.E. and to our communities means the world to us. S.A.F.E. is so grateful to Nottely Marina for spearheading our Second Annual Kids Fishing Derby.”

S.A.F.E. is grateful to the following businesses and individuals that are making these events possible: Nottely Marina; Alexander’s; Brasstown Drug and Gun; Budget Blinds; Builder’s First Source; Circuit World; Cook’s Country Kitchen; Foodland Grocery; Hugh’s General Store; Ingles-Blairsville and Hiawassee; Jack’s Creek Bait and Tackle; Lake Nottely Fishing Charter; Leon Farmer Company; Majestic Mountain Property; Mike’s Seafood; Nelson’s Ace Hardware; Paradise Bait and Tackle; Rick’s Rental; Rose Auto; Sav-A-Lot; Service Plumbing; Sundance Gallery.

S.A.F.E. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides services to Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Victims in Towns and Union Counties. For information on available workshops or to volunteer for S.A.F.E. please contact (706) 379-1901. If you are a victim of Domestic Abuse or Sexual Abuse or if you know someone who is, call S.A.F.E. for confidential assistance 24 hours a day. (706) 379-1901