THE CATCH!

It was the close of our annual Apollo Park Youth Fishing Derby. I was ready to head home. Before leaving, I had to deliver some things to our derby coordinator, Don Ryan. I got to the center staging area just in time to see a group of people surrounding a young boy, about 9 years old.

His mom explained to me how he fished his little heart out all morning, and had caught nothing. How he started complaining and getting more and more discouraged.

"The derby was almost over," she said, "when it happened."

I looked over at her son, Danny. He was holding this absolutely enormous trout - over four pounds and literally half his size. There was no doubt Danny had won first place. This monster would have won the Adult Derby. Danny was beside himself with joy. His brand new bicycle was beside him; photographers were taking pictures; and he was the envy of all the boys around him.

Then it struck me. This would be something Danny would never forget. And when Danny finds himself in a difficult situation - a situation where he can make a difference - I know what Danny is going to do.

		-Bob Hanson
		 May, 1993