A few kids from the Palmer Home for Children got the chance to get out into the great outdoors and do a bit of angling Saturday in Columbus.
Members of the Mid-South Fly Fishers led a group of kids out to a lake located on property owned by the Imes family just off Primrose Road near the border between Noxubee and Lowndes counties.
The organization, which works primarily in Tennessee and Arkansas, came to Lowndes County specifically to treat the children from Palmer Home.
“We do several outings throughout the year where we get the kids out and give them the opportunity to learn how to fish,” said group president Tom Burkett. “We like to get them outside so they can enjoy themselves and get back to nature a little bit.”
The kids bobbed some corks, took turns tying flies to lines, and learned the art of fly fishing.
Ten-year-old Baylen Russell was just starting to get a few bites around 11:30 Saturday morning. It was the first time he had ever been fly fishing.
“This is something I plan on doing again,” he said.
This is not the first time the fly-fishing group has come to Lowndes County to spread the joy of fishing to the youngsters at the Palmer Home.
“This is the fourth time we”ve done this,” said Victoria Johnson, group conservation director. She also responsible for organizing the event. “We just want to give the Palmer Home kids a chance to go fishing. We like to take them out where they can experience a nice natural environment.”
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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