Anglers young and old flock to Javors Lucas Lake

Many of the ones that got away in the Kids Fishing Derby at Javors Lucas Lake on Saturday weren’t so lucky Sunday.

In a follow up to the annual tournament, dozens of children and adults surrounded the small side pond where the event was held. Few were fishing over in the main 589-acre reservoir owned by the Macon Water Authority.

Anglers said they like fishing in the pond the day after the tournament because it is well stocked for the event to give all the youths a chance to catch a fish.

And while results varied, plenty of whoppers were still getting pulled out Sunday. Michael Robinson was getting his money’s worth out of the $5 entry fee. He had six catfish on a stringer that he estimated weighed between three and six pounds.

When asked his secret considering that many others there hadn’t caught a fish, he said, “Like my dad used to say, you’ve got to know how to hold your mouth.”

Aiden Evans, 6, was fishing with his uncle Adonis Evans, of Macon, who was making his first visit to the lake. They had only caught a few bream that were too small to keep, but Aiden said he was having a good time. He has been fishing since he was four.

“It makes me happy,” he said. “But sometimes I lose fish and that make me mad.”

Alfred Harris, of Macon, was there with his grandson, William Balkom, and they weren’t having much luck.

“I’ve been coming here for about four years and I haven’t caught but about three fish,” Harris said. “It’s relaxing. That’s the main thing.”

Roger Wheatley, of Haddock, was there was his son, Rylik Wheatley, 12. He said they go to the lake about every weekend. They have a boat and once caught 130 fish in one day on the reservoir. Rylik said he prefers fishing to watching TV.

“I just like being out here and having fun,” he said.

The lake is in Jones County off Upper River Road but is a water source for the Macon Water Authority.

It is open for fishing at limited times. It opened in early March and will remain open 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the end of June. It will be closed in July and August then will reopen 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from Sept. 2 to Oct. 30.

This story was originally published June 5, 2016 at 5:41 PM with the headline "Anglers young and old flock to Javors Lucas Lake."