by Jake Worthington
The month of June has arrived, and if you live on the Outer Banks or you happen to be visiting during the week of June 21, 2017, please be aware of a great fishing opportunity for children from aged 4-16. The Annual Fritz Boyden Youth Fishing Tournament will be on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. The registration will be from 700-800AM and the tournament will be from 800AM to 1200PM. There is no charge to enter or fish on the pier during this tournament. Every child will receive a free tournament t-shirt. The Avalon Fishing Pier, Nags Head Fishing Pier, Jeannette’s Fishing Pier and Outer Banks Fishing Pier will be participating in the tournament this year. The age groups will be 4 to 9 years old and 10-16 years old. Prizes are awarded for largest species of fish caught, as well as prizes for largest fish caught by a female and male angler, and the largest fish caught overall.
Winning anglers are given really nice prizes such as rod and reel combos, as well as a trophy. Awards are also given for exemplary and unusual catches. The awards ceremony is held in the parking lot of Kelly’s Restaurant in Nags Head where the children and their parents are fed hot dogs, chips and drinks while the winners are being determined. At 100PM or thereafter, the winners are announced and the prizes and trophies are handed out to the winners. Door prizes are also drawn. I remember fishing in my first Fritz Boyden Tournament in 2007 and I fished in every one until I was 16. Today I participate as a volunteer and help my father who is one of the pier captains.
The Fritz Boyden Tournament was named after the late Mr. Fritz Boyden who was an avid fisherman and member of the Nags Head Fishing Club for over 30 years. Mr. Boyden was often quoted as saying, “If you take your kids fishing, they will never get in trouble.” Mr. Boyden’s legacy of introducing fishing to kids is memorialized in the continuation of this tournament named for him. The tournament is well attended every year and the participants represented over 14 states during last year’s event. The tournament is organized by Tony Garrett of the Nags Head Surf Fishing Club. The tournament is also sponsored by The NC Sea Hags Fishing Team, The North Carolina Beach Buggy Association, The Outer Banks Anglers Club, TW’s Bait and Tackle, Kelly’s, High Cotton BBQ, and Sysco Foods.
This tournament is a great platform for introducing fishing to children. So if you know a child who might be interested, please bring them to one of the four piers and have them fish in this tournament. Remember these kids are the future of our sport, so let’s get them off the couch, computer, or Game Boy and get them on the planks!!!