They all come early and always stay late.

On a very special Jim “Moose” Carden day, big eyes, big hearts vs. poor fishes’ fate.

Hook, line and sinker all the way, pure joy galore where happiness bids.

And simply because — it’s all about kids.



Oh to be a kid again — no cares, hobbles, horrors or whistles, just a rod, reel and a waterway of fish. Innocence should be so free and simple.

It was a classic scene with a storybook touch — 9-year-old Emily Bales, the Cinderella-like, fourth-grade daughter of Bob and Amber Bales, strolling to the weigh-in with the catch of the day: five carp nudging the scales to 23.15 pounds including the whopper of the day, a flopping 15.10 pounder, and four “seconds” averaging 2 to 4 pounds.

Fins and fishtails never had a chance. Little girl ecstasy should be so pure.

Asked her secret for her biggest catch ever that took 15 minutes, two-time champion Emily could only offer: “My arms are hurting.”

The 26th annual Jim “Moose” Carden Kids Fishing Clinic graduation tournament, ignoring gray, leaky skies, played to another full house Saturday at the Wildcat Reservoir, and the field of 135 boy-girl participants and 72 boats staged what could become the showpiece of this National Hall of Fame Fishing classic.

Ignoring the elements, the young rod-and-reel experts lured 357 fish totaling 201.17 pounds, more than a few genuine billboard material. But ounces don’t count when pitted against big eyes, dimpled chins and fairytale faces.

Tournament director John Martino, whose day began around 4:30 a.m., remarked following the awards ceremony: “It just keeps getting bigger and better. Last year we had 65 boats, and this year we have 72. We were concerned about the weather, but the rain didn’t dampen the spirit. That’s because our people and all those boat captains are a special fraternity.”

There’s a certain magic about this yearly extravaganza that takes on its own glitter. How else does one explain the presence of Jerry and JoAnn Gamblen, who towed their boat on the 2,400-mile round trip from Welaka, Fla., for the 12th time? Their 2005 Chevy Avalanche now reads 95,000 miles, 30,000 Wildcat Reservoir-type. Did somebody say dedicated?

The veterans also included Jim Wells of Gilbertsville, Ky.; Thomas Waldon, formerly of Clarksville, Tenn., now of Kokomo; Jim Herron, formerly of Jacksboro, Tenn., now of Kokomo; Mike Grawcock and Bob Rose, both Lewis Cass graduates, and Gary Beard, who played on two Kokomo Sectional basketball champions (1969 and ’70).

Then there were 76-year-old lovebirds, Tom and Bette Hagan, 15-year veterans on the scene bright and early and enjoying every moment. Naturally, there was rod and reel trickster Scotty Lucas who made the excursion from Burksville, Ky., for the 26th time. “I started when I was 15, now I’m 40 and I’m still loving it,” Scotty said, pointing at a mob of young admirers.

When the above were queried about their devotion, the answer was chorus-like: “It’s the kids and all those happy, smiling faces. They are special.”

The joy was contagious, and quite possibly for the first time ever win, place and show meant the same thing. Scoreboards and the roar of the greasepaint were dormant. To list every feat would to be unabridged. But the sight of 135 kids trudging to the scales with the thrills of their young lives was priceless.

Fourteen-year-old Samantha Bowman, daughter of Richard, nabbed a carp of nearly 2 pounds, and 6-year-old Sebastian DeWitt, son of Justin and Holly DeWitt, hauled in three carp with the aid of captain Ken Waisner and Larkin Parsons.

Seven-year-old Nathaniel Hodson, son of Jennifer and grandson of Leonard and Barbara, had a huge day — five fish totaling 18 pounds plus including a 9-pound, 19-ounce carp to which he said: “I did good, but I’m tired cause that one was a monster.”

Boat captain Bart Alexander explained: “The big one took off on him and ran 100 feet, but Nathaniel just kept cranking and brought it in. He made my day.”

Eight-year-old Emma Shaw, daughter of Jim Shaw, reeled in six bluegill to which boat captain Nimo Rodriguez offered: “She was great, absolutely perfect.” Twelve-year-old Destanee Wisehart, daughter of Rebecca Mayfield, caught two fish totaling 6 pounds, 5 ounces, but had five break her line. Boat captain Jerry Phillips grinned and offered: “She thought she had a big fish, but it was actually a long stick.” All a smiling Destanee could say was, “It was fun.” And 12-year-old Andrew Nearon hauled in six fish totaling 16 pounds-plus

It was just short of incredible to stand back and observe the massive force that put this 26th episode together. To be sure, there are few — if any — to match or approach the feat.

The clinic staff that held forth for a week; the Kokomo Noontime Kiwanis Club that operated the food tables; the boat captains and assistants; the scale operators and Terri and Jeff Rude, owners of the Hoosier Open Bass Tournament business for 25 years. “Our main goal is to make these kids feel important,” they remarked.

As of around 1 p.m. Saturday there were 135 boys and girls looking down from the top of the world clutching long, slender rods stamped “champion.” They rode the water, took their shots, collected their prizes, strolled the line and walked away 6 feet taller than they ever imagined.

Which proves the obvious: Kids are the best thing we have going, with or without rod and reel — as long as we let ’em be kids.

The 27th annual classic can’t come too soon.

• Gene F. Conard is a Tribune columnist and a regular at the Kids Fishing Clinic graduation tournament.