“Each spring we do a camp for boys and the boys camp was established in 1985, but what is exciting is that this year they had the inaugural girls camp,” Hill said. “These kids would never get a chance to go to a camp if we did not do these camps.”

The boys camp is held at the Circle F Dude Ranch near Lake Wales and the girls camp is held at Lake Aurora Christian Camp. Funding for the camps is provided by the annual bass tournament on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and the Big Kahuna Canoe Race, Hill said.

The 9^th annual Reel ‘Em In For Rotary Bass Tournament will be held Saturday out of Camp Mack’s River Resort, sponsored by the Lake Wales Breakfast Rotary. Hill, who retired from the Royal Navy, settled in Lake Wales and was invited to join the Rotary.

“I got asked to help out with the tournament and I got caught up in it,” he said. “I’ve run with it these last eight years.”

Hill said he is hoping to have over 50 boats for the tournament Saturday.

“As of Saturday, we had 32 pre-registered, which was our best start ever, so we are really excited. We’d love to beat our record of 56 boats set in 2009.”

Entry fee is $95 per boat the day of event, or $80 to pre-register. There is a $5 ramp fee. First place is guaranteed $1,500, with $750 for second, $500 for third and $250 for fourth. The big-fish pot will be a 75-25 percent allotment.

There will be a drawing for $100 for those who pre-register. The grand raffle prize is a stainless steel grill from the Lake Wales Home Depot.

Hill said that based on recent events held out of Camp Mack fishing is expected to be very good for Saturday’s tournament.

“It took in excess of 30 pounds to win a tournament out of Camp Mack’s a week ago,” he said.

 

Reel ‘Em In For Rotary Bass Tournament

Sat, Nov 17, 2012

Kissimmee Chain of Lakes

Camp Mack’s River Resort

Call Nigel Hill at 863-224-4081

Email: [email protected]

SPONSOR: Lake Wales Breakfast Rotary