Horton’s Fishing for Kids extra special this year

Volunteers and anglers

FLORENCE, Ala. – The 10th annual Fishing for Kids tournament led by BASS Elite pro Timmy Horton of Muscle Shoals turned out to be a special event.

Maybe more than Horton knew.

After heaping praise on the volunteers who made the event run smoothly, Horton received a special plaque for the 10-year milestone. On the front was a photograph taken before the fishing began of the entire group of volunteers and special needs children and adults. On the back was a card to Horton signed by all participants.

“I have more fun than they do,” Horton said, praising the help he receives for the annual event at McFarland Park on Pickwick Lake.

“It’s not just me; it’s everybody,” said Horton, who played baseball at itawamba Community College. “We get so much help from the volunteers and the sponsors. We know we couldn’t do it without them.”

Tournament director Brad Whitehead – whose boat had the winning angler, Jamison Allen, with 6.81 pounds – also thanked the volunteers. Twenty-three boats were used to carry the 35 anglers.

Timmy Horton and special fishermen

“I’ve been doing this tournament for five years, and this was the smoothest tournament I have ever done,” Whitehead said, adding volunteers drove from Booneville, Corinth and Guntersville, Ala., as early as Friday afternoon.

“We even had about 30-45 minutes to talk and fellowship before we needed to start,” Whitehead said. “I’ll usually hear one complaint every year, but I didn’t hear one this year.”

Horton said the day’s national observance also wasn’t lost.

“What better way to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day than to take all these adults and children fishing?” he said.

Horton denied he has requested personally for the beautiful weather.

“We have only had rain one year,” he said. “That’s why this tournament is so much fun. There’s no pressure, nothing but a good time.”