youth fishing derby on for Saturday morning

Fishing nets sit at City Front Thursday with the Delta Queen excursion boat in the background. (The Vicksburg Post/MELANIE DUNCAN)

[06/01/01] The youth event planned as part of the Sportsman’s Association of Black Bass Anglers Mega-Bucks Bass Tournament will take place on City Front Saturday morning, organizers said.

Young people were originally invited to catch catfish out of a large net May 19, but the net enclosing the 3,000 pounds of fish was damaged by the side thrusters of the American Queen.

The steamboat was arriving at City Front with a load of passengers for a daylong visit.

Organizers from SABBA and the Ole River Bass Club of Jackson rescheduled for Saturday and installed the net at City Front once again, but Thursday morning the net was swept away by the Delta Queen, another passenger boat. Fish had not been placed in the net the second time.

Thursday afternoon, Ray Patterson, president of Ole River, said the derby was back on and young people can fish from about 8:30 Saturday morning until 1:30 or 2.

He also said those children who have tickets can bring them, but those without tickets will not be turned away.

Young fishermen are asked to bring an ice chest to take home their catch.

SABBA’s main event was Memorial Day weekend, when 200 adult anglers competed for two Ranger bass boats. The youth event is designed to get young people interested in the sport of fishing.