ABOVE: Anna Young fishes with her guide dog Natalie. 



"I had a good time on the boat. We were out in the sound for four hours. 

 I caught a bunch of drum fish. One time, I caught two fish at once," adds 

 Jenkins, who lost his vision because of a stroke. 



The three-day event included the tournament, as well as 

 educational workshops, exhibits and a banquet. Walter Suggs of Sanford, 

 who lost his sight because of macular degeneration, says he had a lot 

 of fun meeting other blind people and attending the workshops and 

 exhibits. "I learned about new gadgets that can help me," says Suggs. 



More than 250 volunteers, including Lions members, high school 

 students, social workers and nurses, helped with a variety of tasks — from 

 cutting up 50 pounds of shrimp and more than 2,880 blood worms for bait 

 to cooking more than 400 pounds of fish and 200 pounds of barbecue. 



"This is my first year to help," says Cynthia Harris, a social worker 

 for the Services for the Blind in Jones and Onslow counties. "It is a 



fantastic event. Even if a person doesn't like fishing, it is 

 wonderful opportunity to socialize." 



FRIENDLY COMPETITION 



On the day of the fishing tournament, the participants 

 arrive early in the morning. 



Some use canes or guide dogs to walk alone. Others 

 hold on to volunteers' arms as they take their places on the 

 pier. A few like Linda Swain of Lexington scoot around in 

 motorized wheelchairs. 



For Swain, who lost her sight because of juvenile 

 diabetes and multiple sclerosis, the tournament gives her a 

 chance to showcase her fishing skills. 



"I have been looking forward to this for so long," says 

 Swain. "I used to compete for money for catfish and carp 

 in small local lakes and make my own bait. I would fish all 

 night long." 



Now, she says she only goes out when she 

 has doctors' appointments or special events like the 

 tournament. 



Nearby, a volunteer baits the line for Anna Young, 

 who has her guide dog, Natalie, by her side. Young, who 

 is fishing for the second time in her life, throws out her line. 



As she reels in a small fish, Young says to Natalie, "So 

 you and I got one." 



Toward the middle of the morning, the area around 

 Young becomes so crowded that participants' lines get 

 tangled up like a spider web. 



"There were so many people and lines that the 

 volunteers nearby had to untangle them," says Swain. 



Around lunchtime, volunteers bring sandwiches to 

 the participants. 



As the wind picks up, Swain's husband, Delbert, rubs 

 her fingers to warm them up. 



Although most of the participants are matched with volunteers, 

 some of the anglers on the pier also help out. 



Not far from Swain, Thomas Wolosuk of Yale, Va., is baiting a hook 

 for Emily Smith of Charlotte. "I just happened to be here and saw the 

 way she was catching fish," says Wolosuk. "I realized she needed some 

 help. Now, she has three-quarters of a bag full of fish." 

 For Smith, this is her best year for fishing. 

 "The weather is beautiful, and fishing is good," she says. "This year, 

 I have learned how to tighten my line and look out for fish." 



Some participants, like Swain, fish nonstop until the tournament 



ends. 



"I had a woman stand with me the whole time," says Swain. "I 

 don't know who she was. But she was like an angel for me." 



Continued 



COASTWATCH 15 



