Catfish Rodeo and the Blue and Gold Banquet, Saturday, March 10th!

The sleep over on the USS Alabama was a great time. Now we can focus on our March meeting and the Blue and Gold Banquet. As in the past, we are making a full day of activities with the catfish rodeo in the morning and the Blue and Gold banquet and Arrow of Light ceremony for our Webelos II scouts that evening.

This year we have a change in location of the banquet, so please make sure you note the change to St Mark United Methodist Church on Columbiana Road.

Here are the details about Saturday at the Grant Street Catfish Pond in Bessemer off Exit #1 on I-459. Note that the cost per fish is $2.25 per pound (last year's big fish was nearly 8 pounds). Bring a fishing rod with at least 10-pound line and a 5-gallon bucket to hold all your fish as you catch them. You can donate the fillets to the Pack when you get them cleaned or take them home. They sell chicken livers, shrimp, and other bait (a little chicken liver goes a long way!)Here are the details below. We will see you there between 7:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. anytime your schedule allows and then come to St. Mark United Methodist Church on Columbiana Road by 6:00 p.m. in full uniform (families and everyone else is welcome). The cost of the meal is $3/person and we have a great meeting planned.

Pack 393 2007 Catfish Rodeo and Blue & Gold Banquet

What: All scouts of Pack 393 (including family members) are invited to participate in a fun day of fishing, followed by an evening fish fry and Blue & Gold Banquet @ St Mark U.M.C. (Please wear your Pack 393 blue t-shirt to the fishing event and Class A uniform to the dinner/banquet.)

When: Saturday, March 10, 2007. Fishing – From 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Feel free to come by anytime during this period and stay as your schedule permits. Dinner, awards, and Arrow of Light ceremony scheduled for 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Where: Fishing will take place at the Grant Street Catfish Farm and Pond. Their number is 205-481-9999. Directions: Go 459S towards Tuscaloosa and take exit #1. Go right at the exit for approximately 1.25 miles and take a left at Grant Street. The entrance will be on your left (#640). Our group will have their own (non-public) fenced pond for the day.

CHANGE IN MEETING LOCATION: Due to a scheduling conflict the dinner will take place at St Mark United Methodist Church (located on Columbiana Road just north of Hwy 31 in Hoover -2901 Columbiana Road – 822-5980).

Dinner Menu: Fried Catfish, side dishes, dessert, and drinks. (All beef hotdogs for those not eating fish).

Dinner Cost: The cost of the dinner above is $3.00 per person. Children under 6 eat for free. Please pay your den leader and let her/him know how many hotdogs and catfish dinners you will need.

How the Event Will Work: Each boy (and family member) is asked to participate by fishing at the Grant Street Catfish Pond in Bessemer. Per Grant Street rules, you are to keep and pay for all fish caught. The Grant Street Catfish staff will fillet your fish and charge you $2.25/lb on the whole fish weight.

Note: You are welcome to donate some (or all) of your catfish fillets if you do not have a use for them. This will help defer some of the Pack 393 meal expenses. Please let Jim Kent, Wyndell Dykes, or another volunteer know if you will be donating fillets. Thanks.

Prizes: In addition to the largest fish, several catfish will be tagged with a special identifier. Whoever catches one of these fish will be awarded a prize!

What Does It Cost: Grant Street Fish Farms will charge $2.00 per container of worms or $2.50 for chicken livers. However, you are welcome to bring your own bait. As mentioned earlier, you are to keep all fish caught and pay $2.25/lb. for fillets. So, depending upon the number and size of the fish you catch, it will determine your cost. The Grant Street folks accept cash, VISA, MasterCard, checks, etc.

What to Bring: Fishing pole(s) rigged with at least 10 – 30 lb. test line, cork, split shot sinker, and a medium hook. You may also want to bring the following – Chairs, fishing pliers, extra tackle, landing net, cooler w/ice, drinks, snacks, sunscreen (hopefully it will be sunny!), and a 5-gallon bucket or container to put the fish in after landed.

What If It Rains: The event is on rain or shine. If we cannot fish due to lightening or severe rain, we will notify everyone.