By By Mike Giles / outdoors writer
May 14, 2004
For the 15th straight year children of all ages enjoyed another wonderful fishing day at the annual Sandy Ridge Bream Tournament for Kids. This year was another banner year for the young anglers. Not only did they have a fine day to fish, but the lake was primed and the surrounding landscape was beautifully manicured as well.
The turnout of children was literally spectacular and the cheers of delight rang out all around the lake during the morning as young anglers caught bream of all sizes. Once again there were three divisions for the fishermen and all were competitive. In fact some of the divisions had multiple ties that had to be settled by the biggest fish in each creel.
Seven-year-old Mikayla Giles got hot right off the bat by catching several big bull bluegill and chinquapin bream. The largest was 16 ounces, with the rest almost as big. The bull bream almost pulled the spunky angler and her graphite pole into the water. Right down the bank from her, Mason Bufkin caught the lunker of the tournament, a huge one pound and four ounce bream. The commotion caused by Mason and that bream was something else.
Pre-school winner
When it comes to Josh Collum I guess you have to say, "Like father, like son." Young Collum is following in the footsteps of his successful father, Jeff, in winning fishing tournaments. This year Collum was joined by his mother, Lara, and grandfather, Gordon Collum, at the annual fishing outing. His dad, Jeff, of course was at a fishing tournament of his own. With a little guidance from Grandpa, young Josh really stayed with it and caught quite a few fish. It was enough in fact to take first place in the pre-school division. In addition to that he also caught the lunker of the division, a whopping 15-ounce bream.
Second place went to Chris Daniels with a nice string of bream. Third place went to Lane Boykin. Fourth place was claimed by Adrianna Burrage.
Giles wins division
After missing the tournament last year, young Mikayla Giles was back in the winner's circle again with a string of 36 bream. Previously she won the pre-school division in her only try. This time she won a nice rod and reel and blue ribbon for first place in the children's division. Young Mason Bufkin caught a nice string of 17 bream on the way to his second place finish. He also won a nice trophy for the lunker of the tourney
Last year's winner, Mason Wooldridge, kept up his tradition with another fine showing on the way to third place. Fourth place went to Jordan Moulder. Fifth place was taken by Harley Swafford.
Harris excels
Elizabeth Harris followed up last year's third place finish with another fine showing in edging out last years second place finisher Charlie Rainer. Harris had a tournament best catch of 38 bream. In winning two of the three divisions, the young ladies are now showing some of the boys how it's done. For the second year in a row perennial finisher Charlie Rainer took second in this division with another fine outing of his own while catching 22 bream. Josh Moulds caught 21 fish on his way to third place.
Fourth place went to Ashley Boykin with eleven bream. Ashley Kidd caught the lunker of this division, a nice one pound two ounce bruiser.
All of the winners received assorted rod and reel combos or fishing tackle. Everyone who attended received a Sandy Ridge Bream cap, and soft drink. Most of the youth also received tackle packs. All in all it was another quality fishing day at the lake for everyone involved, thanks to Frank Tillman and all of the many volunteers and sponsors who took part.