NASHVILLE — It was beautiful day of fun at Tygart Park for young anglers at the 18th Annual Dogwood Classic Fishing Rodeo held by the Nashville Police Department.

More than 260 people attended the event; many carried home buckets filled with the day’s catch. Some carried home prizes for Biggest Fish or Best Casting. Everyone was served a lunch of grilled hamburgers and hotdogs.

The Saturday morning competition saw record catches. It became intense when the first 8-pounders were caught, but excitement rose when the 9-pounders started rolling the water. The record for the day and for the history of the rodeo was 10.5 pounds caught by 5-year-old Luke Presley.  The massive fish placed Presley as the Overall Biggest Catch of the day.

When asked how they knew Luke had hooked the big fish, his family laughed and said, “Everything stopped moving—the pole, the line, everything.” It took two men to help the little guy land the monster catfish.

The event was sponsored by the Nashville Police Department; Ray Paulk and the Berrien Co. Sheriff’s Department; the Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Georgia Hunting & Fishing Federation; Chaparral Boats Inc.; Nashville/Berrien Rotary Club; AD Probation; Berrien Chamber of Commerce; Magic Bait Co.; Zebco Family Fishing Program; Citizen’s Bank; Buddy’s Home Furnishings; Rest EZ Waste Service; Lunker City Fishing Specialties; Watson’s Pools & Patios; Ronnie Gaskins (GHFF); Adel Outfitters; Lovein Funeral Home; Lott Pest Control; Coastal Engineering; Coyote MFG Co.; Nashville Bag Co.; Hanson Carter Real Estate; Dogwood Pharmacy; Martin Motors; Dr. Jeff Cox; Fred’s Department Store; RM Luke; Stacy & Larry Rowe; Off the Hook Seafood; Gold Creek Surplus; The Welding Shop; Mitchell O. Moore, PC; and Montgomery Printing.

The T-shirt illustrations were by NPD Officer Chris Youngblood.