Fishing for funds for Sparrow Club

Supporters of the Sparrow Club charity last weekend braved the bitter cold and an occasional snow flurry to attend the third annual Fly-Fishing & Golf Derby. The event was a benefit for Sparrow Clubs USA, a national non-profit organization made up of school-based clubs that offer a helping hand to children in medical crisis.

The fishing highlight of the event brought brave souls to Alder Creek Ranch, where they plied their fly casting skills against the wily trout in the lake at the ranch.

The event boasts one of the largest entry fees of any fund-raiser in the area, but the healthy fee is all-inclusive.

"This is a big fund-raiser for us, and the fee is $1,750 per participant. That includes activities, meals and accommodations for the entire weekend," said Ali King, the event's coordinator.

The funds raised go the national organization but then are often used locally.

"The money goes straight to Sparrow Clubs USA. We do two major fund-raising events every year, and it goes to fund the employees that handle the different locations. These are the people that make it possible to handle situations like Tyler Ecklund (a Bend area snowboarder who broke his neck and was paralyzed during a competition) and other situations that require the staff," said King.

The second event is held later in the spring.

"The other event is the 8th annual RE/MAX Wing Ding Gala and Golf Classic, which is May 31st, and it is a large auction dinner which is held at Sunriver and a golf tournament the next day. We have up to 300 people at that dinner and then144 the next day for golf," said King.

The group who participated in the fly-fishing and golf extravaganza this year was small enough to be intimate and yet large enough to allow some serious competition.

"This year we have eight teams of three. So there are 24 who are fishing and golfing at Aspen Lakes. The Cyrus family are big supporters of this event, and they have been wonderful to us. We had dinner there last night (at Brand 33), and tonight we are going to have dinner at Rock Springs Guest Ranch.

The fly-fishing is the biggest part of the event, and there were plenty of fish to catch.

"The lake is stocked with trout, and they actually spawn in here. It is all catch and release. We also do some catch and release fee fishing here, as well, and there are some really nice fish in there," said Connie Cyrus, an owner of the facility.

The weekend allows for different venues and changes in ambiance.

"Saturday night is usually a little more formal, and we introduce the guides and teams. We also give out some information about what will be happening and talk a little about Sparrow Clubs and what they are doing. Fishing takes place the next day and then a barbecue at Rock Springs and an awards dinner. Then the next day, it is at Aspen Lakes for a three-person (golf) scramble," said King.

The net profits raised for the charity is not yet known.

"We are not sure how much we will raise this year. We have some backers, and I won't know until the very end. But each year it has improved. The first year we had $14,000 and the second year was $17,000. We are hoping that it will be a little better this year," said King.