News Release Archive

C.A.S.T. For Kids Makes Fishing Fun at Potholes State Park

Media Contact: John Redding, (208) 378-5212, jredding@pn.usbr.gov
John Moody, JMOODY@PN.USBR.GOV

For Release: August 04, 2006

Children with a wide range of disabilities will have the opportunity to go reel in a good time as they join some enthusiastic volunteers during the Columbia Basin Project's 14th Annual C.A.S.T. for Kids event at Potholes Reservoir on Saturday, August 12. Participants and volunteers will assemble early that morning at Potholes State Park for a great day of fishing.

C.A.S.T., which stands for Catch a Special Thrill, offers children with disabilities an opportunity to enjoy a day of fishing at the reservoir. Potholes State Park is located 15 miles south of Moses Lake, Washington, off State Route 262. Recreation on the 18,000 acre Potholes Reservoir is easily accessed from this campground and day-use facility, managed by the Washington State Parks.

For some youngsters, this is their first experience fishing, said John Moody of the Bureau of Reclamation's Ephrata Field Office. For the volunteers, it's a great opportunity to be part of a special experience that these children will remember for a lifetime.

The children invited range in age from 7-16 years old and have a variety of physical or developmental disabilities and, in some cases, a terminal illness. Each participant will receive fishing gear, a tee shirt, and a hat, Moody said.

The State Bass Anglers Societies work under the large umbrella of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society and will be on hand with fishing boats and experience to assist novice anglers. The morning fishing events will be followed by a picnic lunch hosted by the Columbia Basin Job Corps Center.

Partners include: Bureau of Reclamation, C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation, Washington BASS Club, Columbia Basin Job Corps Center, Washington State Parks, Washington State Fish and Wildlife, and the Shriners Hospital for Children. Donations for the event have been provided by local businesses including: Bass County, Inland Oil Company, Safeway, Tri State Outfitters, and United States Postal Service - Ephrata.

The very first C.A.S.T. for Kids event was held on the Columbia Basin Project at Banks Lake during the summer of 1991. Since that time, C.A.S.T. for Kids events have been held at locations throughout the western states on Bureau of Reclamation projects.

For information about the August 12th event, contact John Moody at Reclamation's Ephrata Field Office (509) 754-0243, or Jan Schrader at Reclamation's Grand Coulee Power Office (509) 633-9584. In the event of rain, the C.A.S.T. event will be canceled.

For more background information about the event, contact Shari Kohlbecker at Bureau of Reclamation, Suite 100, 1150 North Curtis Road, Boise ID 83706-1234, or (208)378-5050.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.