2013 Spokane C.A.S.T. for Kids Event

The Spokane C.A.S.T. for Kids Event was held on Saturday, September 23rd at the Fairchild Clear Lake Resort. It was raining pretty hard in the early morning and we were worried, but the rain stopped at 7:45am and it became partly cloudy and cool - perfect fishing weather!

We had 38 kids with Special Needs, and their families turn out for this years' event. There were 29 shore volunteers that came out to help (and we needed every one of them). We were a little short on Boats/Captains this year but 15 of them came out to help. These Boat/Captain volunteers were from the Spokane Walleye Club, Inland NW Wildlife Council, Northwest Sportsmans Club and the Inland Empire Bass Club. We can't thank them enough for getting there early with their boats, filled with gas, ready to take our anxious and excited kids out fishing!

Fairchild AFB is also an invaluable supporter of our event. They provided us with complete access to their beautiful Resort at absolutely no cost. They fueled up 4 of their Pontoon Boats to use as needed - which saved the day! (thanks also to Tom Fisher for wiping them down...) They provided all of the lifejackets as well as a large BBQ with propane! Mike Johnson, Jim & Judy and Major Maria "Noelle" Hatchell were an absolute pleasure to work with.

Our local sponsors this year were the Spokane Walleye Club ($1,000), Inland NW Wildlife Council ($500 cash + $500 in rods/reels), Northwest Sportsmans Club ($800 for the BBQ supplies), Merrill Lynch Investments ($500), Weiand & Weiand Dental ($100). We had several in-kind sponsors as well: White Elephant (worms & tackle), Denny's Harvest Foods (12 dozen donuts), Starbucks in Airway Heights (coffee), BNSF Railway Company (10 cases of water & 30 BNSF stocking caps), Wal Mart (tackle) and Cabela's (tackle box items). We want to thank, support (and patronize when possible) these sponsors for their tremendous and ongoing support of this event.

Last, but not least, a BIG thank you to the Northeast Spokane Kiwanis Club for putting on the BBQ. They had approximately 15 volunteers show up to cook, and serve hamburgers and hotdogs to about 200 hungry kids, family members and volunteers. This was the 2nd year they put on the BBQ and they have become a welcome addition to our C.A.S.T. for Kids family!

There were numerous kids that caught fish this year, trout, sunfish, crappe - the kids don't care, in fact I think the boat ride is the biggest thrill for them. One very special moment in the day, that truly indicated how much fun the kids were having, was when one of our wheelchair bound kids came flying down the hill toward registration whooping and laughing with the biggest smile on his face that any of us had ever seen! That is what this event is all about - FUN!!

Pictured here is NWSC Board member Lee Flaugher in the background with his group of kids that he took out on the Pontoon boat.

Pictured here are NWSC Board members Angela and Nate Perrenoud with one of the two groups of kids they took fishing.

Pictured here are NWSC Board members Angela and Nate Perrenoud with one of the two groups of kids they took fishing.

C.A.S.T. for KIDS fishing day on Clear Lake September 29, 2012

Getting our morning briefing and last minute instructions. Thank you NWSC members for Participating!
John Belknap, Theresa Belknap, Tom Belknap, Stan Flugel, Michelle Flugel, Doug Baker, Wendy Baker, Dan Condon, Jim Betz, Ross Milliken, Eric Davis, Ryan Davis, Vicki Davis, Howard Raab and family, Lee Flaugher, Nate Perrenoud, Angela Perrenoud, Doug Schroeder, Bonnie Schroeder

Captain Stan Flugel with his group.

Captain Doug Baker with his group

Captain Jimmy Betz on the Fairchild Recreation Center's Pontoon boat

Captain John gave lessons to his 'lil guy on how to run a trolling motor!

Captain John gave lessons to his 'lil gal on how to run a trolling motor!

Captain Lee Flaugher on the Fairchild Recreation Center's Pontoon boat

Fishing was a little slow, Captain John let the kids drive the boat!

Fishing was a little slow, Captain John let the kids drive the boat!

Captain Nate Perrenoud's group in his fancy ski boat!

Captain Tommy Belknap with his group.