Annual program provides a day of fishing fun for area children with disabilities

Jesse Huber’s rod dips and jerks as the fish runs from the boat, and the battle is joined. The trout runs one way, then another.

As it tires, Dave LeFors sets Jesse’s drag and readies the landing net. A moment later Jesse has caught the first fish of his life.

An osprey screams. Puffy white clouds sail over the dam and down the lake. Jesse beams.

"He was hard to reel in," the Medford 9-year-old says.

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Jesse and 50 or 60 other young people and some of their friends and families flocked to Hyatt Lake on Saturday for the eighth edition of an annual fishing event called Catch a Special Thrill, or CAST. It’s a day of fishing, boating, food and games for young people with developmental disabilities or physical handicaps.

"It is a great opportunity for all of us to see what kids with disabilities are able to do, and even excel at," says Vicki Arthur, the Bureau of Land Management wildlife biologist who heads the project. Major sponsors are the CAST Foundation and the Medford BLM, but those chipping in range from the resort at Hyatt Lake to the Keno Lions, a four-wheel-drive club, and many more.

Kids who registered ahead of time got fishing rods and tackle boxes to take home, and all kids got the use of boats and tackle provided by volunteers from area fishing groups and businesses.

"It seemed like a fun thing to do," says volunteer Steve Timmons, of Sams Valley.

Wearing hats and life jackets, kids and volunteers fan out over the lake in boats seeking its wily trout and bass. In a small skiff tied to a mooring buoy, Steve Miles, of the Ashland BLM, helps a trio of beginning anglers named Mary, Berkeley and Jenness bait their hooks with PowerBait. The fishing is slow.

"We’re out for the scenery," Miles jokes.

"Sorry about that," Mary says as her line drifts with the wind and gets fouled up with Berkeley’s.

Among other things, these young anglers figure to learn about fisherman’s luck. Sometimes it’s with you. Sometimes it’s not.

Ask Jesse Huber. LeFors just bought the landing net they used to scoop up Jesse’s fish when he brought it alongside the boat.

"We might not have got it without," LeFors says.

"He’s slimy," Jesse agrees.

Ashley Burgess, 10, of Central Point, watches her line as if it must be her turn next.

Arthur says the annual fishing day that has become her pet project is not without its challenges. There’s making sure everybody wears a life jacket. There are the logistics of lunch for 200 people. And there’s a ramp running down to the lake at an angle that’s much too steep to be truly handicapped-accessible.

Arthur says last year a couple of husky volunteers helped maneuver people in wheelchairs down the precipitous ramp, but that was unnerving.

This year the wheelchair fishermen had to go around the lake to a special site at the resort and board their boats there.

But the rhythms of sun and wind and birds and water take over and work their magic on young and old alike.

Maybe four-wheeler Steve Roach sums it up best.

"Lots of smiles."

Reach reporter Bill Varble at 776-4478 or e-mail bvarble@mailtribune.com