The Presbytery of East Tennessee Proudly Announces the First-Ever

(In case of tsunami, make up date is May 5, 2012)

Sponsored by the Connect Mission Team of Presbytery, Mission Fishin’ is an opportunity for congregations to get together around two of East Tennessee’s favorite spring/summer pastimes – fishing for perch and a fish fry! The beautiful John Knox Center, overlooking Watts Bar Lake, is the site for this auspicious and unique event.

Styled after bass fishing tournaments, Mission Fishin’ will determine who the best perch fisherpersons are in the Presbytery. Only fish broadly categorized as “perch” are eligible for the exciting prizes that will be awarded. This includes “bream” (bluegills, shellcrackers, warmouth, etc.) and crappie. Any bass, striper, walleye, carp, catfish, or piranha entered will result in disqualification. The pressure will be on as the tournament will only last from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

If you are interested in staying at John Knox Center Friday night, please contact the office at 865-376-2236.

Awards will be given for:

*The largest fish (measured in inches)

*The smallest fish

*The largest aggregate (five fish measured end-to-end, mouth to tail to mouth to tail)

*The church with the most fisherpersons

*The church with the fewest fisherpersons

*The youngest fisherperson

*The oldest fisherperson

*The worst fishing photo

*The most outlandish fisherperson costume.

Other prizes will be awarded in fly rod, conventional tackle, and cane pole categories.

Mission: Fishin’ will be a “catch-and-release” event. Fish to be entered for judging must either be photographed via cell phone camera and the photo emailed to the imminently unqualified judge onsite, and then returned to the water, or kept alive in a bucket or fish basket so that they may be returned to the lake alive after being measured. Some buckets will be available. Entrants making photo entries should have a tape measure to show the measurement of the fish (in INCHES, not centimeters!) in the photo. Participants wishing to keep their catch may do so, but as my Mama always said, “Them that catches, cleans!”

After the tournament concludes and while the imminently unqualified judge and his cronies calculate the winners, participants will gather under the Pavilion for a delectable fish fry lunch of catfish fillets, French fries, cole slaw, hushpuppies, hot dogs, and ice cream prepared by the John Knox Center kitchen staff. Iced tea, water, and coffee will be provided. The awards ceremony will be held as the meal winds down.

The entry fee for Mission: Fishin’, which includes lunch, is a modest $15 for adults, $7.50 for children ages 5-10, and $1 for children under 5 years of age. Use of canoes is on a first come, first served basis at no additional charge.

Two life guards will be on duty. Those wishing to bring their own boats may launch them at the Second Peninsula boat launch, or the launch near the John Knox Pavilion. Signs will be posted the day of the event to determine the most accessible launch. Just follow the signs. Of course, John Knox Center also has four miles of shoreline to fish from, as well.

Non-fisherpersons may take advantage of the Frisbee golf course, the basketball and volleyball courts, or hike on the beautiful Caldwell Trail. Everyone is invited to enjoy John Knox Center (sans canoe use, as life guards will not be present) throughout the afternoon after Mission: Fishin’ concludes.

Official Rules

1. Deadline for registration is Tuesday, April 24. No “day-of-event” registration.
2. Everyone attending Mission: Fishin’ must register, whether fishing or not.
3. No fishing before 8:00 a.m. Entries received after 11:30 a.m. will not be considered.
4.  All participants must have a valid Tennessee fishing license according to Tennessee fishing regulation residency and age guidelines.
5.  Any legal hook and line method for catching fish in Tennessee may be employed. NO DYNAMITE!
6. Fish kept must observe Tennessee size and creel limits.
7. The imminently unqualified judge will consider appropriate bribes.
8. Other rules will be made up as we go along. 
9. Decision of the imminently unqualified judge may be debated until the cows come home.