MOSES LAKE – The Catch a Special Thrill for Kids foundation is a nonprofit public charity that helps children who have special needs and disadvantages enjoy a day of fishing. The organization has been around since 1991 and has since expanded to 26 states, including Washington. 

“I think these kids deserve to be celebrated and included,” said Melissa McCalmant, CAST’s Western Operations Manager and NW/Rocky Mtn. West Regional Manager. “Just spending a day with them and watching the excitement on their face, it’s just life-changing.” 

McCalmant said the organization was started by Jim Ownes, who was an avid fisherman who participated in tournaments and wanted to share that passion with children who had special needs. Children with special needs don’t always get the opportunity to enjoy recreational activities and CAST provides them with a safe environment to do so. 

Each event is typically around four to five hours and features about 40 children who will be given a free fishing pole and tackle box as they are taken out for a day of fishing, she said. Once the day is complete, they will have lunch and hold an awards ceremony where the children are given a plaque with a picture of them, their fishing partner, and their boat captain if the event is on the water. 

“For some of them, this is the best day ever,” said McCalmant. “Like Christmas is a great day, but for some of them, they say this is better than Christmas. This is the one day they look forward to every single year.” 

The very first CAST event was held at Banks Lake in Washington and has been expanding to multiple different areas around the Pacific Northwest and other parts of the country. This year’s events in Washington took place at the Potholes Reservoir, Sarg Hubbard Pond in Yakima, Clear Lake in Cheney, Lake Washington in Renton and a special event at Banks Lake in memory of Jim Owens, who passed away in 2023. 

“We are looking to expand,” said McCalmant. “We’re always looking for event coordinators that might be interested in bringing an event to their town.” 

In 2024, CAST had 96 total events around the country and had around 7,340 total participants, with 4,345 of those being children. McCalmant said CAST has coordinators interested in adding an event in the Tri-Cities area where the children will fish in the Columbia River. 

To start an event, the organization will have an event coordinator work with their community to raise funds and find volunteers to host. 

“It’s great to see the volunteers who come out to the events for the first time and watch them experience it and come back and say, ‘I will be back every single year, this is amazing to be able to celebrate these children,’” said McCalmant. 

While events in Washington are completed for 2025, those interested in seeing what events are coming in the area next year can check out the website castforkids.org. 

    One of the boat captains at a CAST event holds a fish caught by an exited young fisherman. The events can take place either on a boat or on land and will be accommodated accordingly to ensure that everyone involved can participate.
  

    A fishing duo poses for a photo during one of the CAST events earlier this year. CAST manager Melissa McCalmant said if the events take place on a boat, organizers will ensure there are boats that are wheelchair accessible available.
  

    A young angler holds up a smallmouth bass that he caught alongside his boat captain. There are currently four regular CAST events around Washington with more added this year or in the works for the future.