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Organizations share fishing rods, supplies for a fun day

The Fountain Lake Sportsmen’s Club and the Albert Lea Anglers teamed up earlier this month to host the Take a Kid Fishing event at Fountain Lake, introducing dozens of young anglers to the joys of fishing.

The Sportsmen’s Club provided several hundred fishing rods for the event, ensuring that every child had the opportunity to participate. Members of the Albert Lea Anglers lent their time and expertise to prepare each rod with fishing line, hooks, bobbers and weights, making sure the kids were ready to cast a line and reel in some fun.

Jeff Palmer of Palmer Minnows contributed to the effort by donating all the bait for the day. His lively minnows were a hit with the kids — many of whom spent nearly as much time giggling and playing with the minnows as they did fishing.

The event brought together families, volunteers and local organizations in a celebration of outdoor recreation, community spirit and the timeless tradition of fishing. For many of the young participants, it was their very first time holding a rod, feeling the tug of a fish or learning how to bait a hook.

“It’s about more than just fishing,” one volunteer noted. “It’s about creating memories and connecting kids with the outdoors. That’s something they’ll carry with them for a long time.”