grafton...the day after...

[carpsniper]

Well two pots of coffee and some sleep later...

The Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair was a blast. Much warmer than last year and a little dryer (during, we were rained on most of the way down)
We have no numbers yet on attendance but we were busy all day. Christine did a good job of getting photos. Here are some...

When the crowd lessened, Christine got some pictures. This line was nearly constant all day.


This view shows the southeastern side of the fair. There was at least this much on the other side of the trees.


Volunteers from the Illinois Bowfishers wearing green vests. This year we were able to run three tanks. Thanks to all those who showed up to help. Our club had folks from Missouri to Indiana and a whole bunch from IL.


Nick is one of our expert fish wranglers. Thanks Nick.


In the green vests from left to right, Bill Shelby, Josh Shelby and Joesph Ewing did a great job instucting young shooters.


Alex Grable helps this young man hit the mark while a proud Grandpa looks on.


Kristina Shelby did a great job as well as another shooter walks off the dock
after her turn at another station.


The next station was setup to shoot at more conventional targets.


HMMmmmmmm...still a bowfishing theme.

[carpsniper]

They used genesis bows and had a blast as well.


Without picking on this young man, The "fist" or "death grip"
is something that is toughto get around with the short instructional time we get.
But we try.


Here Joseph gives instruction and a very smart girl is paying attention to get some
helpful pointers. I was just to her right trying to do traffic control. Trying was the opperative word there.


With hole punch at the ready! Part of my job was to punch a hole in
the cards the kids were given to show that they participated in each station.
Afterwards they were given some nice prizes.
But the real reason I showed this picture is the shylittle girl with dark hair.
She didn't want to shoot. I asked her if she would she wanted her grandpa to go with her.
She shook her head no. I said I would shoot with her and she said OK. So I got Christine to take over for me while
I went to help her shoot. Made my day! (We hit a fish too!)

[carpsniper]

Then it was off to find some fish for ourselves...

Casey was the first to connect. (two or three times) Nice fish too.


Anybody can shoot big fish...OK maybe not.


These guys were awesome! Ethan put a nice follow-up on Caseys fish.


Then Christine got into the act, shooting this silver out of the air, sort of.[:-]


Then Ethan whacked this big fish.


The looks on their faces are priceless. Ed came prepared with leather gloves for handling
the fishing line.




Casey returned the favor and backed up Ethan's big fish. 31lbs 9ozs
Congrats Ethan on beating the previous Allen crew record of 28lbs. Sorry Ed.


Fishhunter and Nick just had to be different and shoot gar.
Sorry we didn't get a picture of Nick's gar.

[carpsniper]

Then it was back to Pere Marquette State Park for the fish fry.


Gary started out the fry with his bighead ribs and corn dodgers under the watchful eye of Ethan Harshbarger while Ed runs the breader.
Thanks guys. It was AWESOME!!! As I said many times, Gary can cook for us any time.


Chris gets ready to fry some of his grass carp.


Notice the two piles of boneless grass carp? No one went away hungry.

There were many folks to thank and many pictures that didn't get taken.
Thanks to everyone who helped out. Thanks to Gary for showing us a great fishing spot.

[bowman15]

AWESOME AWSOME AWSOME!!

At least it was a little drier this year for you guys. And I'm so glad you had some help down there. I'm really sorry I couldn't come down. I hate missing these things. If it weren't so far I might have made it, but I had alot that needed to get done today. Still, I wish I could have been there.

Hey Kendall, I know what you mean as far as that picture with the little girl goes; last year at the Deer and Turkey Classic, I had the smallest little girl that came up to the line at the archery-booth yell at me to help her draw the bow because she couldn't do it the first time, and she's the one in the picture with me that we posted! I won't ever forget that I'm sure. She was so quiet and sweet till then.

Great job guys. Really.

[Fishhunter]

I can hardly moved. My face doesn't hurt as much (sunburn), but we'll be there next year. Love the kids, especially the little girls - they really light up when they find out they can shoot. The fish fry for the DNRdidn't hurt the club's standing with them at all.

[Bulzeye]

Excellent showing everybody.

Hard to beat teaching kids and whackin real fish, both in one day.
That looks likea great event to be part of. Hats off to everybody who helped out.

[HunterOpel]

Looks like you all had fun and had a good turn out..I got called into work at 5:00am saturday morning so couldnt come..Looks like it would have been fun..Hopefully next year..

[carptracker]

Great Job guys! Looks like you had fun.

[bowman15]

Oh, and nice shot Fishunter. Right in the head!