Bass derby a realization of Steve Madden’s dreams

Twenty years ago Steve Madden was cruising the neighborhood around Waverly Street and Bulfinch Street just off Boston Street where we both grew up.Kids were hanging just as we did years ago looking for something to do. Steve had a thought ? you know ? a dream of sorts. He got home that evening and called his brother-in-law, Rich Baker, about his idea.Why not have a fishing derby, just for kids? To quote Steve, “get them off the corner and on to the water, you know get them hooked on fishing.”Now almost 20 years later, the dream lives on, you see. Next sunday, from 8 a.m.until noon, this dream fishing derby for kids will be happening again at Flax Pond.His crew, made up of mostly Lynn Mass Bass members, has been out knocking on doors of local merchants and soliciting unions and friends for donations to make it happen just as they have for the last 19 years and, fortunately, every year the donors come through.A combination of their continued support and publicity in this newspaper from my predecessor, Harry Kennerson in his outdoor column, plus “Mad Dog’s” determination to succeed, has helped to make it happen for almost 20 years.To date, over 3000 kids have participated in the Lynn Mass Bass kids fishing derby.Steve mentioned that he has had some of his “original kids” return with their kids, and that, in itself, is a success story worth talking about. Steve has never asked for any recognition because that’s the kind of guy he is.As Steve put it during our conversation “Seeing it all come together each year is gratification enough. If just one kid gets hooked on fishing it all worthwhile.”So, if you’re not busy next Sunday morning, come down to Flax and lend a hand. Set up a line, bait a hook, measure a fish, or man a registration booth.Steve will gladly put you to work. Headquarters will be on Flax Pond near the old “Coke plant”.Again, here are the details. Come down to the Lynn Mass Bass Annual Kids Fishing Derby Sunday, May 18th at Flax Pond.Kids from 2-12 years old are invited to attend this event that starts at 8 am, rain or shine, and ends at noon.The registration fee is $3. Night crawlers for bait will be provided by Ippi’s Bait and Tackle.All trophies and prizes are donated. Every derby participant that registers will get a grab bag fill with goodies, a shirt and hat, a participation ribbon, and lot of refreshments.And, as Steve put it, “no kid will go home empty handed.”Don McClory is The Item’s outdoors writer.