Enthusiasts hope to hook new anglers

Lynn Doan

Friday, June 11, 2004 | 5:07 a.m.

What: Free Fishing Day and fishing derby with prizes for children.

Where: Floyd Lamb State Park, northwest of Las Vegas, and Echo Canyon State Park, east of Pioche.

When: 9 a.m. today at Lamb park; 8 a.m. at Echo Canyon.

For information: Lamb, (702) 486-5127, ext. 3504; Echo Canyon, (775) 728-4460.

Bob Fryer hears it from his wife all the time: He and the rest of the boys go fishing only to "see who can tell the biggest lie."

"You know, big stories, big fish stories," said Fryer, 66, reeling in his squid-baited fishing pole from Sunset Park Pond on Wednesday.

Like the time when Bill Dotson, 71, told his fishing buddy Fryer about a huge catfish he caught from the pond. Then Fryer told Dotson about a Coleman lantern he reeled in from the pond, with the flame still lit.

"His story is bull," Dotson said, nodding to Fryer.

"Yeah? You take about five pounds off that fish you were telling me about, and I'll blow the light out in my lantern," said Fryer, a retired marble mason.

These conversations give Fryer and Dotson a reason to wake up at 6 a.m. each weekday and set up camp at Sunset Park, a routine they've followed for 10 years.

Today, Free Fishing Day, they hope that those beginning anglers who come out to enjoy the sport will realize that fishing isn't just about the catch; it's also about the company.

Free Fishing Day, sponsored by the Nevada Wildlife Department, is a chance for those without fishing licenses, which can cost as much as $69, to fish in the state's public waters.

Ivy Santee, angler education coordinator, said the annual event gives families and friends a chance to spend quality time together outdoors and learn more about fishing.

"This is a chance to get kids away from the television set," Santee said.

Dotson, who retired from the U.S. Army 30 years ago, met Fryer at the pond one morning and has been fishing with him ever since.

"It beats gambling; we get to sit around and shoot the crap until the fish bite," Dotson said.

And even when the fish are biting, conversations sometimes outweigh the importance of reeling in the catch.

On Wednesday Chris Wise, 41, an electrician who recently began fishing with Fryer and Dotson, neglected his pole while chatting.

"Hey, Chris, you got a fish biting," Dotson said.

Wise glanced over at his pole, which was propped up a few feet away, shrugged, and continued his story about a fish he had caught the previous weekend.

This doesn't mean the three don't care about the catch.

On the contrary, just last week Wise caught a 13-pound catfish, and Fryer's picture hangs on the park's bulletin board for catching a record catfish.

Catfish are the main catch this summer, said Joe Hoblock, who runs Sunset Park. Trout arrives in winter.

Those in Southern Nevada who would like to take advantage of Free Fishing Day can try their luck at Sunset Park Pond, Lorenzi Park Pond, Boulder City Urban Fishing Pond, Floyd Lamb State Park, Lake Mohave, Lake Mead and Echo Canyon State Park.

"If you've never tried it, then you will never know what fishing is all about," Hoblock said.