A Youth Fishing Tournament is held annually at the Cameron Dewberry Festival. It is designed as an outreach program to educate and provide hands-on fishing experience to youngsters. VFW Post #2010 and the Ladies Auxiliary have been key sponsors and volunteers for the event.

This year's event was on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at Wilson-Ledbetter Park Pond, in Cameron.

The event has grown over the years. VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary are directly key to the ongoing success of this event.

At the start of the tournament, youth participate in a presentation about fishing, conservation, and respect for the environment, the fish, and other anglers. Upon completion of this brief presentation, the youth receive a “Bachelor of Angling” certificate and start fishing.

Texas Parks & Wildlife stocks the pond with catfish prior to fishing, to increase the youth’s odds of a memorable fishing experience. Everything a child will need to catch fish (i.e., rod, reel, bait, and tackle) is provided to those who need it, on a first-come first-serve basis.

Volunteers are on hand to assist in catching the fish stocked. Manned measuring tables were provided at the pond, so that fish may be measured and returned to the water, should anglers want to do that.

A light lunch is also provided, at no charge, for the first several hundred children who participate.

At the end of the tournament, a brief presentation of prizes was made, by age category, to those who caught the longest fish. Specially tagged fish brought very special prizes. See the 2008 event results (235 kB Adobe PDF download).

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