KINGMAN – “Fishing for Smiles” is what the local Elks Lodge 468 called the youth fishing derby and that is exactly what happened. An estimated 150 kids, ages 5 to 15, spent Saturday morning trying their fishing luck, utilizing one of two ponds on Dutton Ranch property east of Kingman. The children were aided by parents and/or grandparents who showed up as instructors, helpers, and cheerleaders.
The junior anglers competed in two divisions. There were three categories in which trophies were awarded.
The Youth Fishing Day has been offered at various locations in the greater Kingman vicinity over nearly 30 years. The Dutton Ranch has provided the fishing ponds for over a decade. Sponsorships and donations provide the free fishing day along with complimentary fishing gear, if needed, and a free lunch. The Elks Lodge 468 coordinator for the past several years is Fred Hearring.
“It’s a community event where we bring together the kids from the community in an effort to get’em out of the house and off the computers and phones, fishing and enjoying the outdoors. Hopefully to catch some big catfish and get trophies and awards and have a good time with the family.”
There are two fishing days, the second is for children with special needs. Fred talks about their reaction.
“The time of their life. They get the free lunch, the free hamburgers, hot dogs, and they get to catch fish. And there’s nothing better than watching that community out here. It’s second to none. It’s just touching to say the least, to have those folks out here.”
Some participants came with all their own equipment, but Arizona Game and Fish was there to provide poles already strung with line, hook, sinker, and bait. The bait was Ballpark franks. Laughingly, one parent was overheard, after some bait disappeared, explaining to his five-year-old boy that the hot dogs were for bait, not eating.
Plenty of help was available from parents and grandparents plus there were numerous yellow shirted volunteers. Some of them related they’d been part of this activity for many years.
Sign ups for the event started at Smith’s Grocery, one of the sponsors for this annual occurrence. Elks member volunteers handled the sign up booth. Along with the location at Smith’s, registration was available in a variety of ways, including the internet. In all, there were nearly 200 children who got registered to joined in.
The Dutton Ranch is about 40 miles to the east of mid-town Kingman. The fishing ponds are just to the north of I-40 at exit 91 to Fort Rock Rd. The event coordinator was very grateful for everyone who helped with the 2025 Fishing for Smiles Day.
Fred Hearring said, “The main thing is thanking all our partners, you know, Arizona Game and Fish is here every year with poles and bait. The folks with Mohave Sportsman’s Club out here every year fileting and fish weighing fish. KRMC and Smith’s are solid partners. The donations and support from the community, as a whole, this year has been phenomenal.”
