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Kent Keene pokes his gig at a fish, as Kolby Henson scouts for another chance to bring one onboard during the Sugar Creek Gobblers first night gig event. |
Sugar Creek Gobblers
have their first
"night gig"
What happens when you put a bunch of kids in a johnboat on a crisp fall night and hand them each a gig pole? You're met with a frenzy of splashing water, a tipsy boat, several species of fish flopping on the bottom of it and, of course, lots of laughs.
Missouri's Sugar Creek Gobblers can tell you all about it. They hosted their first "Night Gig" in McDonald County, Nov. 6.
The event was for youth ages 15 to 18, and the gigging finished a day of learning about conservation and the key role hunting and fishing play in wildlife management.
Before sunset, the group shot a few rounds of fast flying clay targets, then settled around a campfire for a traditional Ozark fish fry. They dined on pan-fried potatoes and fish gigged by volunteers the night before.
Frank Loncarich, wildlife management biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation, shared with them how hunters have contributed to successful wildlife ventures in Missouri, such as the restoration of turkey, deer, prairie chicken, bear and the recent re-introduction of elk.
Once darkness set in, a boat motored upstream with a few of the youth on board. As the spotlights disappeared around a bend in the river, their shouting, laughter and enthusiasm could be heard by the others at the campfire waiting to take their turn at bringing in a few fish.
The group left behind rushed to the gravel bar shore to greet each group of giggers and see if they'd had any luck. "I can't believe I actually got a fish with a gig," said one participant.
The night ended with several fish in a cooler, many miles of river crossed and a greater appreciation of local outdoor opportunities.
Fish gigging is a longtime Ozark tradition with a small regional following.
"Our goal was to introduce the declining tradition of gigging to the next generation of outdoors enthusiasts," said Dan Fuller, president of the Sugar Creek Gobblers, "and show them how to have fun outdoors."