Grandpa makes record-breaking catch with Barbie fishing pole

by Bethany Sanders (Subscribe to Bethany Sanders's posts) Aug 24th 2008 10:00AM

Categories: Preschoolers, Relatives, Fun & Activities, Weird But True

Fisherman love to tell tales about the one that got away. But how do you explain to your fishing buddies that the one that didn't get away was caught with a Barbie fishing pole that came with its own hot pink tackle box? Doting grandfather David Hayes isn't embarrassed. In fact, he's having the record-breaking catfish he caught with the pole mounted along with the Barbie fishing rod itself!

It all started when Hayes and his three-year-old granddaughter Alyssa were fishing in his private pond. She ran to the house to use the bathroom, and while she was gone, Hayes got a bite. He hung on until she returned, and they pulled up a 32-inch catfish -- two inches longer than the fishing pole he was using -- that broke the state record.

Hayes isn't just a good grandpa, he's also a doting husband. He and Alyssa were invited to New York City by CBS News, but because his wife just had knee surgery, he figures it's more important to him to stay home. Alyssa's getting a new pole to replace the one that's being mounted, but no word yet on which one she'll choose.

Source

Comments (2)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Heather 8-24-2008 @ 4:17PM

How COOL! It is really a wonder he was able to get the fish up without it breaking the rod...catfish are really strong!

c_rousseau05 8-25-2008 @ 1:36AM

What a great grandpa! It's so sweet that he held the line until she got back and let her live the excitement that is to catch your very own fish. Brings me back to when I used to fish with my Daddy, those are special memories that I hold dear to my heart. My daughter is only one and he already wants to take her fishing haha!

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