Chris Erwin
The Ashland Beacon
The members of Ashland Fire Department Local 706 are hosting the Inaugural Daryle E. Patrick Memorial Fishing Tournament on Saturday, October 1, at Yatesville Lake State Park. All the fishing tournament proceeds will benefit the Daryle E. Patrick Memorial Children’s Christmas fund.
This fund was created 20 years ago, when a group of firefighters decided they wanted to do something special for the children and families in our community, ensuring every child has a very merry Christmas season! It was named the Daryle E. Patrick Memorial Fund to honor former firefighter Daryle Patrick, who died of cancer. Daryle had a soft spot for the children in our community, and the firefighters of local 706 decided there would be no better way to honor him than with the Memorial Christmas fund.
With help from the Ashland Independent Schools school resource center, which provided names of children and their Christmas wish lists to Santa, the local 706 took the names and wish lists and shopped for the children using the proceeds of the fishing tournament. The members not only shop for toys, but will provide outfits and winter coats for the children. The fund also supplies Christmas dinner for all the families involved.
Once all the lists are fulfilled, the members of local 706 throw a party for the children and their families at Ashland’s Central Fire Station, where they provide food, games, and end with Santa Claus coming out and delivering the children their bag of presents and clothes. The Daryle E. Patrick Memorial Children’s Christmas Fund has served hundreds, if not thousands, of local children in its 20 years, and with more funds raised, they plan to help thousands more!
The fishing tournament will be held at Yatesville Lake Marina on October 1. Entries are $100 per boat (two-man teams) and $50 per kayak. Kayak rentals will be available at the Yatesville Marina, thanks to Rebel River Outfitters. Check-in will begin at 6 a.m., and blast-off will be at first light. Weigh-in will be at 2 p.m. There will also be a children’s shore fishing tournament that is free to enter, beginning at noon. Food will be available on-site thanks to Randy’s Red White and Blue BBQ.
The tournament will be artificial bait only; lake size limits apply. You can register on the ramp at 6 a.m. or pre-register by contacting Fields Davis at 606.465.8010 or Tyler Cantrell at 606.547.1503. If you can’t fish the tournament but would like to donate to the Daryle E. Patrick Children Fund, you can send your donations to 1021 Carter Avenue, Ashland Ky 41104. Make your check payable to Local 706.
I told Fields Davis I hoped their tournament was a big success; and his response was, “this tournament is about the kids and what we can do for them.”
As many of you know, I have been connected to the fishing community for many years. I urge my fishing friends to get out on the water on October 1, have some fun and help these kids simultaneously.
I also want to state that most of this information was provided by Local 706 and Fields Davis.