Oh, what a beautiful mornin’ 
Oh, what a beautiful day. 
I got a beautiful feelin’ Ev’rything’s goin’ my way. 

These lyrics from Roger and Hammerstein’s musical “Oklahoma” certainly described this year’s fishing adventure with the kids from the Calgary Boys and Girls Club held August 18, 2007.

Cool in the morning, turning warmer as the day progressed. A slight breeze. Truly a beautiful day as Walleye Unlimited entertained the kids from the Calgary Boys and Girls Club with a day’s fishing out at Crawling Valley.

It is always a special day to be able to share our pastime with these terrific kids, and this year’s kids didn’t let us down. They arrived by bus at 9:30 a.m. and, save for a few minutes of instruction, soon found themselves in a boat, equipped with a bag lunch for themselves, bait for the fish, heading out for a day’s fishing.

It’s a very special time for a child to catch his or her first fish. That is why it is such a great feeling that we as members of Walleye Unlimited are able to share in this “first fish” with some of these kids. 

Everyone caught fish – some big, some small. Winners of this year’s largest fish for boys was Kais Mussa, whose fish measured 61 cm, and largest fish for girls was Jennifer Powers, whose fish measured 58 ½ cm. Each of these winners was presented with a tackle bag. 

After a day’s fishing, the kids were treated to a BBQ of hamburgers and hot dogs as well as plenty of watermelon. 

A special guest even dropped by. Michael Gelinas from the fishing show “Fishing With the Dodger” dropped in and presented a DVD to each boy and girl. 

At the end of the day each kid received a rod and reel presented to them by Pam Ziwani representing the Canadian National Sportsmen’s Shows, an avid promoter of this event. 

This event cannot be held without the support of sponsors and our members. Just saying “thank you” does not seem to be enough; however, the tired smiles these kids wore at the end of the day more than covers it.

This year’s chairman of the event was Garry O’Carroll who did a terrific job of organizing and running this event. Well done Garry and thank you on behalf of all the kids from the Calgary Boys Club and your fellow members at Walleye Unlimited. Also thanks to Garry’s committee made up of members Ed Frank, Craig Johns, Daryal and Caroline McCauley, Brian Strawford, Cody Earl, Ben Steele and Al Gillespie. Also thank you to those members who helped load and unload boats, helped with the food preparation, helped clean up at the end of the day, and just plain helped where necessary. 

A very special thanks also goes to two members, Bob MacMillan of B & L Marine and Kirk Tucker of Commercial Mechanical Service who each donated $500.00 towards the cost of holding this event. Thank you gentlemen; we are very proud to know you. 

In addition to the above, our sincere thanks and appreciation goes out to the following: 

• To the Canadian National Sportsmen’s Shows for supplying the rods and reels given to the kids at the end of the day.
  
  

• To Auld’s Fishing Adventures for supplying the tackle bags for the biggest fish caught.
  
  

• To the Real Canadian Superstore at Deerfoot Meadows for supplying the pop and water.
  
  

• To The Fishin’ Hole for supplying and installing line on the rod and reels given out at the end of the day.
  
  

• To Larry McLean at Sons Bakery for supplying all the hamburger and hot dog buns. 
  
  

• To Wholesale Sports for supplying the jigs that were given out to the kids.
  

• To Costco at Calgary North for donating $100 towards the cost of the food. 
  
  

• To Peter Hoeppner at Halliburton for supplying the BBQ and Marvin Vester for cooking the burgers and hot dogs.
  
  

• To the Crawling Valley Recreational Society and the Eastern Irrigation District for allowing us to hold this event at their wonderful reservoir and campground. 

And finally, to those people who generously donated their boats, their tackle, and what is most important, their time, in making this a day these kids will remember for the rest of their lives. Hats off to this fine group of men and women!! See you next August. 

Gord Oberhamer

Bright and early on a Saturday morning in August, 50 kids from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary boarded two school buses destined for the Crawling Valley just outside Bassano, Alberta to go fishing for the day. Many of the kids were skeptical as we drove through the prairies, but, low and behold, after an hour and a half we saw water! 

Volunteers from Walleye Unlimited were anxiously awaiting as the kids dismounted the bus. There were also some special guests that day - Calgary Flames Rhett Warrener and his wife Christina, as well as a film crew from Fishing Alberta. 

Children were matched with volunteers and set out on boats for a day of fishing. Every kid caught at least one fish and some caught 15! What was really special about this day were the lessons learned from the whole experience. Fishing truly involves patience and perseverance. There is also the amazing feeling of accomplishment when you catch your first fish. By the end of the day, kids who were shy and nervous in the morning had made new friends and were excitedly recounting their fishing tales. None of this would have been possible without the generosity of Walleye Unlimited, whose members volunteered their time as well as their boats for this special day. They are also exceptional teachers who took the time and interest to teach the kids how to fish. Thank you also to Rhett Warrener for spending time with the kids and for signing autographs for all of them. As well, thank you Fishing Alberta for featuring us on your show. Check your local listings for its broadcast in early 2007. 

One of the goals in our community club programs is to provide enriching new experiences for our kids. This cannot be done alone, so we greatly value the community partnerships developed with local organizations and corporations.

What a day!  Our third annual “Fishing Day” with the kids from the Calgary Boys and Girls Club was a tremendous success. The weather that framed this day could not have been more perfect. Bright skies and little wind set the day for a fishing adventure that will remain with these kids for a lifetime. 

A highlight of the day was the attendance of hockey star, Rhett Warrener, of the Calgary Flames and his lovely wife Christina. It was the icing on the cake for these kids to be able to not only get his autograph,  but have their picture taken with this fan favorite. The day was made even brighter for the four kids who were winners of a draw that saw them have the opportunity to fish with Rhett. Their names are Nick Mcghie, Riley Medke, Cameron Stone and Robert Harper. I would be remiss in not mentioning that Rhett’s wife, Christina, turns out to be a “fishing machine” as she “hammered” many a walleye. 

Thanks to the generous support of the Eastern Irrigation District, owners of the Crawling Valley Reservoir, a television production was made of this event by the fine folks at Fishing Alberta. Fishing Alberta had two camera boats available that recorded the non stop action on the water. This show will be rebroadcast at least four times and will reach over 2 million viewers. Just think folks, you might be a television star and just don’t know it yet. DVD’s of this event will be made available for sale to the membership.

Once back on shore all were treated to a mouth watering BBQ of hamburgers and hot dogs. Lots of pictures and more television footage ensued. Two prizes were awarded for the largest walleye by length caught by a boy and a girl. The prize for the largest walleye caught by a boy went to Robert Harper and the prize for the largest walleye caught by a girl went to Salima Nanji. The prizes were presented by Rhett Warrener and each winner received a tackle box and a Calgary Flames shirt and cap.

    FISHING ALBERTA SHOW

On March 17, 2007, the initial broadcast of our "Fishing Day" with the kids from the Calgary Boys and Girls Club took place. Scott Rawlings of Fishing Alberta did a tremendous job of putting this television production together. The kids were absolute stars. Again, this would not have happened without the participation of our membership. Hats off to you all. You guys and gals are "hero's ".

Thank you to the Eastern Irrigation District for being the main corporate sponsor. Without them this production would not have happened.

We are receiving excellent feedback on this production from members and the general public alike. DVD's of this program have been made available at $15.00 each. The show will air afew more times over the next year or so.

Ventures like this can touch the hearts of people. Below is an excerpt from a letter received from a participating kid's mom. This makes it all worthwhile. Be proud folks!

Excerpts from a letter received from Cameron's mom - Tracee Read-Stone:

"What a thrill to see my son, Cameron, on today's television presentation "Fishing Alberta" with the Boys and Girls Club trip to Crawling Valley in 2006! Cameron has been an avid fisherman for over 10 years and he thoroughly enjoyed the day. Fishing has been an invaluable tool in developing his confidence and self-esteem as well as giving him the chance to socialize with so many great folks. We are hoping he'll be able to partake in the fun again this year!

I especially appreciate the time and efforts of each of your members and volunteers to give all the kids a wonderful day! It truly will be an event that stays in their minds forever. It is such experiences that help our children become respectful and positive adults and your organization is to be commended for this. Thank you so very much for including my son in your generous efforts to show you care about kids!"