Fishing Rodeo

The Fishing Rodeo is Saturday, June 2, 2007, from 9:15 until 12:30 at Strayhorn Pond, located on New Hope Church Road, off of Highway 86 between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. Turn right, then right again. This event brings out lots of outdoorsmen (and women) each year, providing plenty of opportunity for tall tales of "the one that got away." Even overcast skies with the threat of rain doesn't stop a huge crowd of fishing folks from casting a line at Strayhorn Pond.

Selenta Jones displays her catch

An annual event since 1976, crowds as large as 500 people have converged on this site in past years, causing a shortage of poles and worms that particular year. Poles and bait are provided at no charge.

The fish being caught today were of a wide variety including shell cracker, bluegill, large-mouthed bass, and channel catfish. The little fish Selenta Jones has here needs some company to make a meal.

Aaron, Shelby, & Darby Butler show us their catfish

Aaron, Shelby, & Darby Butler show us their catfish

It was a family affair for the Butlers, with little Darby catching this big fish. Fish well over 2 feet long have been pulled from this pond in years past, with especially overgrown catfish wowing the crowd.

Prizes are awarded each year in a variety of categories, including largest and smallest fish caught. The majority of the fish were thrown back in, but plenty were taken home for dinner.

Brenda Van Hook baits her hook.

Part of the art of fishing is, of course, baiting the hook. Brenda Van Hook (yes, that's really her name) demonstrates the finer points of this technique. Once this task is accomplished, it's time for reeling them in, as shown by Jeff & Ben Albaugh.

The fishing fun is followed by a free hot dog lunch. This event is co-sponsored by the Carrboro Recreation and Parks Department, Orange County 4H, civic clubs, and businesses in the area.

Strayhorn Pond