Published: August 20, 2007 09:51 am            

Two return from B&G Club trip

Brooke True and Dakota Jackson have just returned memorable vacations through two separate Boys & Girls Club programs.

True was part a Boys and Girls Club program entitled Hooked on Fishing, not on Drugs. Directors Tyler Done and Mike Turtle selected the top two particpatants from the group of 15 to 20 children ranging in age from 8 to 15.

True and Josh Ogg received the honor, which was a four-day trip to Washington D.C. True, Ogg and 16 other young fishermen from across the country were part of the Capital Clash BASS Elite Series, held on the Potomac River. Turtle accompanied the pair on their trip.

The professional fishermen that didn’t make the cut for their tournament joined the youngsters in a mini tournament.

“I got to fish with Dave Wolak. We came in second with 13 pounds, 1 ounce,” said True. Their big bass weighed 3 pounds, 7 ounces and the pair also caught their limit on five.

“Fishing in the Potomac is difficult because of the seaweed and the tide affects the movement of the water and the fish,” True said.

The group also toured the Washington D.C. mall area including the Washington Monument, Smithsonian and Union Station.

The participants received jerseys and trophies. “Skeet Reese, the winner of the pro tournament, autographed my jersey,” said True. “I would recommend the program for kids that want to learn to fish, or improve their fishing skills.”

True and the BASS tournament was on ESPN Saturday morning, Aug.18. The tournament is also on ESPNoutdoors.com.



Dakota Jackson excelled in the Boys and Girls Club Immersion program, which was developed by the discoverer of the Titanic.

The program teaches youngsters about the ocean and its environment, as well as different kind of ships.

“We simulated the acts when they found the Titanic,” said Jackson.

Teresa Tate, Scott Tate and Cindy Villegas, directors for the program, selected Jackson and Jaclyn True for the trip to Mystic, Connecticut. They were accompanied by David Birky.

Camp Hercules was conducted at the Hilton Inn and the Mystic Aquarium. The group enjoyed breakfast at the aquarium every morning during the four-day camp. They then toured the backstage area of the aquarium, learning about the care and feeding to the various animals that were not on exhibit.

“I like the lion fish the most. It is poisonous. The little ones look like rocks and the adults have fins all around their body,” Jackson said. “We visited an 1800’s village and seaport. We got to tour the old houses and ships.”

The cancellation of their flight extended Jackson’s trip by one day and included a stay in Rhode Island.

“I got to eat some clam chowder and baked scrod which I discovered that I like,” Jackson said. “I would recommend the Immersion Program to kids that want to learn about the sea and its environment.”

        

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