Park to hold family fishing tournament

Rummage through that tackle box for just the right hook, because it's time for some fishing.

Mistletoe State Park will celebrate the 15th annual Parent/Child All-Fish Tournament on Saturday.

An all-fish tournament means that you can keep anything you catch, according to Mary Coultas, the office clerk at Mistletoe.

All of the fishing must be done from the banks with a rod and a reel or a pole and a line, according to a park news release.

"No boats allowed," Coultas said.

Registration will be from 7-10 a.m., with a weigh-in at 1 p.m. Family registration costs $10, along with a $3 park pass.

Prizes and trophies will be awarded to winners.

"The grand prize goes to the most weight for any fish combination," said Coultas.

A two-night stay in a cabin at Mistletoe State Park is the grand prize.

On average, 30-50 families participate, Coultas said.

"Our aim is for the family," she said. "Everyone enjoys themselves."

The Clark Hill Striper Club will be cooking fish, "taters," hush puppies and beans for participants with an appetite.

In addition to the fishing tournament, Mistletoe State Park has several other events during April, including:

- Saturday: Cavestone Pottery Making, 10 a.m., with master gardener Thomasina Stewart

- April 29: Brain Tanning Workshop, 8 a.m. to midafternoon with leader, Tim Moore, demonstrating methods for tanning animal hides

- April 29-30: Instructed Backpacking-Overnight Hike, 1 p.m. For information, call Marilyn Grau at (706) 826-4480

For more information about the fishing tournament or any upcoming events at Mistletoe State Park, call (706) 541-0321.