Elite pros onhand for CastingKids event in Arkansas

Elite Series pros gathered in Rogers, Arkansas, to offer kids tips on the right way to cast, and everyone came home a winner.

At a free CastingKids event in Rogers, Arkansas, River Clunn, 10, Oakley Howell, 8, and Laker Howell, 12, found plenty of room on the front deck of Randy Howell's boat for all three to cast.
At a free CastingKids event in Rogers, Arkansas, River Clunn, 10, Oakley Howell, 8, and Laker Howell, 12, found plenty of room on the front deck of Randy Howell’s boat for all three to cast.
Alivia Avance, 5, of Rogers peers through her wind-blown hair and reels in her line to make another cast. Competition was for ages 7 to 18, but kids of all ages were welcome at the CastingKids event.
Alivia Avance, 5, of Rogers peers through her wind-blown hair and reels in her line to make another cast. Competition was for ages 7 to 18, but kids of all ages were welcome at the CastingKids event.
Chris Lane gets some casting tips from his new buddy, 4-year-old Matthew Kitts of Hindsville.
Chris Lane gets some casting tips from his new buddy, 4-year-old Matthew Kitts of Hindsville.
Haylee Jones, 13, of Lowell appears eager to learn from Elite Series pro Fletcher Shryock.
Haylee Jones, 13, of Lowell appears eager to learn from Elite Series pro Fletcher Shryock.
In addition to Shryock, Charlie Hartley (lower left) spent some instruction time with Haylee Jones before she stepped up to the front deck of Randy Howell's boat to compete. Jones, 13, also stepped up in class, to the age 15 to 18 age group, where she finished third.
In addition to Shryock, Charlie Hartley (lower left) spent some instruction time with Haylee Jones before she stepped up to the front deck of Randy Howell’s boat to compete. Jones, 13, also stepped up in class, to the age 15 to 18 age group, where she finished third.
Charlie Hartley entered skateboard competitions long before he became an Elite Series angler. At the request of Jerry McKinnis, Hartley got his skateboard out of his truck and performed a few tricks.
Charlie Hartley entered skateboard competitions long before he became an Elite Series angler. At the request of Jerry McKinnis, Hartley got his skateboard out of his truck and performed a few tricks.
Hartley can still perform a few tricks on a skateboard, as demonstrated by a handstand he held long enough to capture with this photo.
Hartley can still perform a few tricks on a skateboard, as demonstrated by a handstand he held long enough to capture with this photo.
After watching Hartley, Chris Lane gave the skateboard a ride. If this were bull-riding, Lane wouldn't have made the required 8 seconds, before he got thown.
After watching Hartley, Chris Lane gave the skateboard a ride. If this were bull-riding, Lane wouldn’t have made the required 8 seconds, before he got thown.
River Clunn, 10, exhibits a characteristic that has long defined his father, Rick: concentration.
River Clunn, 10, exhibits a characteristic that has long defined his father, Rick: concentration.
Grace Pullin, 7, of Rogers found that the front deck of Charlie Hartley's boat was perfect for demonstrating her song-and-dance skills.
Grace Pullin, 7, of Rogers found that the front deck of Charlie Hartley’s boat was perfect for demonstrating her song-and-dance skills. “I think she’s going to be an actress,” Hartley said.
Hunter Pullin, 5, of Rogers was captivated by all the technology found in the driver's seat of Charlie Hartley's boat.
Hunter Pullin, 5, of Rogers was captivated by all the technology found in the driver’s seat of Charlie Hartley’s boat.
Rick Clunn, his wife, Melissa, and their son, River, came to Rogers last Saturday so River could compete in the CastingKids event. River, 10, finished second in his age group and worked on his casting skills all morning long. Rick was on his way to Lake Dardanelle for the next Elite Series event. Melissa and River went back home to Ava, Mo., afterward.
Rick Clunn, his wife, Melissa, and their son, River, came to Rogers last Saturday so River could compete in the CastingKids event. River, 10, finished second in his age group and worked on his casting skills all morning long. Rick was on his way to Lake Dardanelle for the next Elite Series event. Melissa and River went back home to Ava, Mo., afterward.
Jonny Schultz (right) was part of the University of Arkansas bass fishing team that helped provide instruction. And Schultz got some fishing tips as well, from one of the all-time greats in the bass fishing world, Rick Clunn.
Jonny Schultz (right) was part of the University of Arkansas bass fishing team that helped provide instruction. And Schultz got some fishing tips as well, from one of the all-time greats in the bass fishing world, Rick Clunn.
Bassmaster Classic champion Randy Howell tells a story that brings a smile to the faces of three University of Arkansas bass team members: (from left) Cody Chisholm of Crossett, Ark., Blake Kubiak, also of Crossett, and Drew Porto of Grapevine, Texas. The UA bass team helped score the competition.
Bassmaster Classic champion Randy Howell tells a story that brings a smile to the faces of three University of Arkansas bass team members: (from left) Cody Chisholm of Crossett, Ark., Blake Kubiak, also of Crossett, and Drew Porto of Grapevine, Texas. The UA bass team helped score the competition.
Alexis Lee, 8, of Rogers gives her full attention as Fletcher Shryock provides the No. 1 key to casting.
Alexis Lee, 8, of Rogers gives her full attention as Fletcher Shryock provides the No. 1 key to casting.
Hunter Butler, 13, and his sister, Taylor, 16, of Gentry discuss some advice given by UA Bass team member Jonny Schultz (lower left) while they practice prior to competition.
Hunter Butler, 13, and his sister, Taylor, 16, of Gentry discuss some advice given by UA Bass team member Jonny Schultz (lower left) while they practice prior to competition.
Brianna Haas, 9, of Lowell concentrates on a cast during her practice session.
Brianna Haas, 9, of Lowell concentrates on a cast during her practice session.
Jerry McKinnis demonstates how to cast for Noah, 7, and Caroline Pointer, 6.
Jerry McKinnis demonstates how to cast for Noah, 7, and Caroline Pointer, 6.
Chris Lane gives some tips on pitching to Elijah Kitts, 9, of Hindsville.
Chris Lane gives some tips on pitching to Elijah Kitts, 9, of Hindsville.
Nevaek King, 9, of Pea Ridge wore her father's GoPro camera to capture her casting performance on video. Josh King, a Springdale fireman, said he always wears his GoPro to capture the highlights of frequent Ozark stream fishing adventures.
Nevaek King, 9, of Pea Ridge wore her father’s GoPro camera to capture her casting performance on video. Josh King, a Springdale fireman, said he always wears his GoPro to capture the highlights of frequent Ozark stream fishing adventures.
Will Starek, 8, of Rogers appears to be in deep concentration while competing Saturday.
Will Starek, 8, of Rogers appears to be in deep concentration while competing Saturday.
Talan Hedges, 8, of Lowell came straight from spring football practice to compete in CastingKids. He took some lessons from Rogers Bass Club members Nick Vining (left) and Cory Whelchel.
Talan Hedges, 8, of Lowell came straight from spring football practice to compete in CastingKids. He took some lessons from Rogers Bass Club members Nick Vining (left) and Cory Whelchel.
Talan Hedges casts while official scorer Cody Chisholm of the University of Arkansas bass team observes.
Talan Hedges casts while official scorer Cody Chisholm of the University of Arkansas bass team observes.
Chris Lane provides some hands-on casting instruction for Daniel Danford, 9, of Lowell.
Chris Lane provides some hands-on casting instruction for Daniel Danford, 9, of Lowell.
Aiden Avance, 7, of Rogers demonstrates his flipping technique for Rogers High School bass club members Nick Vining (left) and Cory Whelchel.
Aiden Avance, 7, of Rogers demonstrates his flipping technique for Rogers High School bass club members Nick Vining (left) and Cory Whelchel.
Charley Hartley helped this young angler put a fish in the livewell.
Charley Hartley helped this young angler put a fish in the livewell.
No one walked away empty handed from Saturday's CastingKids event in Rogers. The top three finishers in each age group received special awards. They are pictured here with the four Elite Series pros present for the event. (From right to left) Chris Lane, Haylee Jones (3rd, 15-18 age group), Randy Howell, Ethan Obenshain (3rd, 7-10), Charlie Hartley, River Clunn (2nd, 7-10), Corey Welchel (2nd, 15-18), Oakley Howell (1st, 7-10), Nick Vining (1st, 15-18) Trevor Brunson (3rd, 11-14), Fletcher Shryock, Isaiah Kitts (2nd, 11-14) and Laker Howell (1st, 11-14)
No one walked away empty handed from Saturday’s CastingKids event in Rogers. The top three finishers in each age group received special awards. They are pictured here with the four Elite Series pros present for the event. (From right to left) Chris Lane, Haylee Jones (3rd, 15-18 age group), Randy Howell, Ethan Obenshain (3rd, 7-10), Charlie Hartley, River Clunn (2nd, 7-10), Corey Welchel (2nd, 15-18), Oakley Howell (1st, 7-10), Nick Vining (1st, 15-18) Trevor Brunson (3rd, 11-14), Fletcher Shryock, Isaiah Kitts (2nd, 11-14) and Laker Howell (1st, 11-14)
Everybody works at these events: Jerry McKinnis, one of three B.A.S.S. principle owners, prepares to push a loaded shopping cart as Angie Thompson, vice president for events and sponsorship activations at B.A.S.S., adds one more landscape timber to the cart after the CastingKids event Saturday.
Everybody works at these events: Jerry McKinnis, one of three B.A.S.S. principle owners, prepares to push a loaded shopping cart as Angie Thompson, vice president for events and sponsorship activations at B.A.S.S., adds one more landscape timber to the cart after the CastingKids event Saturday.
<p>1st and 2nd graders from Elizabeth Tucker Elementary participate in CastingKids.</p>
1st and 2nd graders from Elizabeth Tucker Elementary participate in CastingKids.
<p>Fletcher Shryock and Charlie Hartley talk to the kids...</p>
Fletcher Shryock and Charlie Hartley talk to the kids…
<p>...and pose with a young fan. </p>
…and pose with a young fan. 
<p>Also in attendance was Bonnie Grimes Elementary, 3rd grade.</p>
Also in attendance was Bonnie Grimes Elementary, 3rd grade.