Courtesy of Laura McClintock
Nearly 650 attendees gathered early in the morning on Saturday, June 22 to surround the vibrant, blue pond at the George H.W. Bush Library & Museum with hopes of capturing the catfish swimming just beneath the surface.
In collaboration with the College Station Police Department (CSPD), the Bush Presidential Library & Museum welcomed the public to come and enjoy Family Fish 2024 from 7-11 a.m. for a day of outdoor family fun, free refreshments and snacks.
As a longstanding Bryan/College Station tradition, the event provides an opportunity for free fishing in the generously stocked Bush Library & Museum Pond. This year, attendees enjoyed additional activities to keep the whole family entertained, such as informational tents and inflatable games where kids could practice their football and ax-throwing skills.
“It’s just the entire community coming together and being able to provide a safe place for our community to come hang out,” says David Simmons, public information officer at CSPD.
Previously known as ‘Father Fish’ the event transitioned to ‘Family Fish’ in 2019 to include the whole family in on all the fun. After a brief hiatus due to COVID-19, the annual Family Fish event moved from the old police station located on Texas Avenue and William King Cole Drive to the George Bush Library in 2022.
Fishing licenses were not required for participants, and attendees were welcome to take the fish home that they caught. Although encouraged to bring your own fishing gear, a limited number of poles for children were also available to borrow. Both individuals with experience and new-to-the-game fishers were welcome.
“You get to see all the families that come out here from avid fishermen and [big] fishing families to people that don’t know how to fish, but they’re able to come out here and have a safe place to learn,” David says.
For more information about future Family Fish and other events by the College Station Police Department, visit their Facebook at @CSTXPolice
By Caroline Dollar and Laura McClintock
