Children with disabilities cast, reel at Potholes

POTHOLES STATE PARK - Children and volunteers have both fallen in love with the C.A.S.T. program hook, line and sinker.

The program, "Catch A Special Thrill," connects experienced local anglers and children with disabilities for a day of fun on the water.

"Our whole goal is to give these kids an opportunity to go out and fish, which they probably wouldn't have had otherwise," C.A.S.T. executive director and founder Jim Owens said. "And it runs the gamut. We have kids with all types of disabilities: from wheelchairs to mental challenges."

Owens, of Renton, founded the program 21 years ago. Since then it has grown to a nation-wide foundation in over 25 states.

He said the kids love the opportunity to be out on a lake and drop a line. Volunteer fisherman find satisfaction in helping the kids.

"You should see the smiles on some of their faces," he said.

One of those smiling cherubs is 12-year-old Ashley Dieringer, of Moses Lake.

"We've been doing this for probably seven or eight years, and she just loves it," mother Christi Dieringer, also of Moses Lake, said. "She gets to meet other people in the community and do something just for her."

Ashley was one of almost 30 participants this year. She suffers from a mitochondria disease.

Owens has taken her out on the lake several times since she started attending, and he and the family have obviously become close.

Each child received a T-shirt during a luncheon donated by Job Corps, as well as certificates and plaques.

When it was Ashley's turn, she bounded across the park with a big toothy grin and gave Owens a big hug.

"It's gotten so big that I don't always get to take the kids out," he said, noting that he was disappointed he didn't get to fish with Ashley this year. "But there were more boats than needed, and I didn't want to take another volunteer's slot."

Over 30 boats were available this year: so many that some had to stay on their trailers.

"We're definitely looking for more kids with special needs that we can take out," Owens said.

"I love this event and have been doing it for over 20 years," angler Mike Brown, of Moses Lake, said. "I've got two grandkids, and I just love fishing with boys and girls like this. Somebody in the community's got to help, and it's something I can do."

"It's all about putting a smile on their faces and having fun," angler Tom Twede, also of Moses Lake, said. "If you can't have fun taking a kid out fishing - well, life doesn't get much better."

Twede is vice-president of the Potholes Bass Club. On his trophy wall he has a special section to display photos of fish that C.A.S.T. kids have caught with him over the years.

"The first time I came out, I was hooked," he said. "It's a wonderful thing to give back to the community."

Each child is required to wear a life preserver and have a parent or guardian aboard, he said. Safety is always a concern, but fun is equally as important, he said.

Theresa Clement, of Moses Lake, has been on the C.A.S.T. board for 16 years. "And I'll do it until I can't do it anymore," she said.

Clement works with Job Corps students to collect donated food and prepare it for volunteers and children.

This year the Bureau of Reclamation worked on gathering donations as well, she said.