Fishing Festival June 2 at TFFC

ATHENS, Texas-The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens will kick off National Fishing and Boating Week by making a family fishing trip affordable with free admission for kids 12 and under plus free fishing for the whole family and free hot dogs and drinks from 9 to 4 Saturday, June 2.

Anglers who fish in TFFC's stocked casting pond can enter the big fish contest held by the Irving Christian Bass Club from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Prizes of fishing gear will be awarded for the three largest catfish and sunfish. All children 12 and under will receive a free ticket for door prize drawings to be held at the TFFC picnic area at 1:30 p.m.

The Tarrant County Christian Bass Club will hold the Bassmaster Kids Casting Contest beginning at 10:30 a.m. Participants will receive a certificate from the Bass Anglers Sportsman's Society (B.A.S.S.).

In addition to fishing, visitors can walk the wetlands trail; see a diver hand feed fish; learn about the history of fishing in the freshwater fishing museum; shop for a Father's Day gift in the Flat Creek Bait `n Goods Gift Shop and watch the alligator feeding at 3:30 p.m.

The TFFC Fishing Festival is sponsored by Athens Wal-Mart Supercenter, Bass Pro Shops Grapevine, Bass Pro Shops Garland, Shakespeare, Joey and Pam Ridgle, Ernie Yarborough and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

National Fishing and Boating Week comes at the start of the summer vacation season and is designed to encourage families to spend time together on and around water. No fishing license is required anywhere in the state on the first Saturday in June, which is designated Free Sportfishing Day.

For information go to http:// www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/ visitorcenters/tffc/ or call (903) 676-2277.