EMMETT, Idaho — Payette River Bassmasters club members provided boats and manpower to take 34 physically and mentally challenged children fishing Aug. 20 at Black Canyon Reservoir.
Twelve members of the B.A.S.S. Nation club served as boaters and helpers during a C.A.S.T. (Catch a Special Thrill) for Kids fishing event hosted by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Club members helping with the special event were Chris Rambough, Stacy Rambough, Harold Vaughn, Becky Stratton, Glenn Ainsworth, Dave Beck, Zach Moran, Falicia Brock, Kaitlyn Stratton, Richie Kyro, Pat Patterson and Wes Metcalf.
This year’s event drew 14 boats, and the donation of a pontoon boat by Alan Marsh RV & Marine allowed wheelchair-bound kids to fish. The Payette River Bassmasters and the Idaho Whitewater Association provided the rest of the boats for the event.
Chris Rambough, president of the Payette River Bassmasters, said he thought the event went well.
“The kids had a blast, and it went pretty seamlessly to the kids,” he said.
Rambough said the best part of the event was the good fishing.
“I think almost every kid who had a desire to catch a fish did catch one,” he said. The kids fished for three hours with tackle and life jackets provided by the Bureau of Reclamation.
The Payette River club has helped with the C.A.S.T. for Kids event for 19 years.
“I get involved in several events every year, but with this one, when you get out with these kids at the end of the day you realize how great our lives are,” Rambough said. “These kids are dealing with some really difficult challenges, but they are some of the happiest people you will ever be around.”
Rambough relishes the opportunity every year to take the children fishing.
“Every year I have a little girl who counts the number of boats down to my boat so she makes sure she gets in my boat,” Rambough said. “That kind of stuff is so neat and a lot of fun.”
