The Kids’ Fishing Clinic Returns!
By Bud Fields
Outdoors with Bud
Back in 1984, Jim "Moose" Carden started the Jim "Moose" Carden's Kids’ Fishing Clinic, and it became one of Kokomo's premier events. In 1999, it was inducted into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame.
Sadly, Jim's health declined, and after his passing, John Martino, one of the people who worked beside him until his death, took it on himself to continue the fishing clinic in honor of Jim's memory and to further educate the kids in fishing and life achievements.
After 40 years of being active, it was announced that the 2024 edition of the Jim "Moose" Carden Kids’ Fishing Clinic would be the last and discontinued. I had the pleasure of working alongside “Moose" Carden and John Martino for well over 30 of those 40 years as a boat captain and classroom instructor, and it was very rewarding to observe several hundred young students participating in the classroom and all the events included in the clinic.
Through the years, I watched many of the kids grow up, become parents, and eventually bring their children back to attend the programs.
When it was announced that John was retiring, everyone was saddened. We certainly appreciated John's efforts through the many, many years and the devoted hard work and time he graciously gave to the clinic. Everyone who knows John Martino wished him well going forward.
I was certainly sad to see him retire, but I know that John did was for the kids. He certainly deserves a well-earned thank you from everyone involved. John was a very humble man and never accepted credit for the years of success and growth of the Kids’ Fishing Clinic. He always said, "It is all because of the volunteers."
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with my longtime friend, Josh Trine, who is serving as the program director of the effort to bring back the fishing clinic, and he was telling me that he and his Board of Directors, which includes Justin Wheeler, Ciara Driver, Daph Wheeler, Kris Workman, Steve Workman, Kelsie Avery, Randy Reel, Jackson Kistler, and Taylor Kistler, got together and discussed possibilities of re-establishing the fishing event.
Out of respect for John Martino and his wife, Peggy, they had a meeting last December with them and expressed their desire to and start the groundwork to allow the kids to attend the event.
The new annual event will be called the Howard County Kids’ Fishing Clinic, and it will be conducted at Kokomo High School, 2501 S. Berkley Road. The initial class will be open to the first 100 boys and girls ages 7 to 14 years to be registered. They do not have to be residents of Howard County. Registrations for the event will be Wednesday, June 4, at 6 p.m. at the UAW 685 Union Hall, 1315 E. Hoffer St., Kokomo.
The dates of the event will be July 21,22, 24,29, and 31, from 6-9 pm. The graduation tournament will be conducted at the Kokomo Reservoir Park on Aug. 2 at 7 a.m. From past experience, I can assure you this program fills up quickly, so I suggest you arrive somewhat early for registering.
Registration fees are $50 per child, cash or check only. Opening night will be referred to as Joe Ford Night in memory of Joe Ford, who sadly passed away while ice fishing a few months ago.
The kids who get registered for this event will receive a brand-new rod and reel combination, a brand-new life jacket, a tackle box, a five-gallon bucket, a snap stringer, a fishing towel, a Howard County Kids’ Fishing Clinic t-shirt, plus door prizes given away nightly. There will be casting practice in the parking lot, guest speakers nightly, and classroom instructions by many of the area's top anglers.
I recently had Josh Trine as a guest on my Outdoors with Bud podcast to discuss the event. Watch it on my Facebook page and also on YouTube at on the Kokomo Lantern Podcast Network.
If you are an angler and own a boat and would be interested in volunteering as a boat captain to take two kids fishing during the graduation tournament at the Kokomo Reservoir, contact Josh Trine at 765-438-6551 or email him at joshtrine16@gmail.com.