Shelbyville Parks and Recreation officials said it was beautiful weather for the Ed Carson Memorial Fishing Day, which was held last Saturday at Coy Gaither Bedford Lake.  

Kayak winner was Charley Ware. The kayak was a shared purchase from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Southern Longbeards, Shelbyville Optimist Club and Backwoods Outreach Ministry.  

Winning a Yeti cooler, donated by Sportsman’s Warehouse, was Reese House. The “First Catch of the Day” award went to Bryan Floyd.  

In addition to TWRA and TWRF, state sponsorship also included Tennessee Wildlife Officers Association. Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Department, primary sponsor, made sure that all children in attendance received a prize. It was a free event, with no fishing license required last Saturday.  

Tennessee’s 2022 Free Fishing Day allowed anyone to fish without a license in state public waters. Children under age 15 were allowed to fish through Friday, June 17, license-free. Those in attendance at Bedford Lake said while the fish didn’t seem to be biting very well, it was still a lot of fun.  

And, the event is always held in memory of “Coach Carson”—one who greatly loved and supported Shelbyville parks and recreation. “Coach” Ed Carson taught at Shelbyville Central and on the junior high level from the 1960s through the 1980s.  

He was also an avid TWRA hunter safety course instructor for 40+ years. In his later years, he enjoyed talking with folks out at the park complex at the miniature golf course. “Coach” Carson was also known for riding his bike all over the county.  

Shelbyville Parks and Recreation partnered with TWRA in 2008 and began the event at River Bottom Park. When the event outgrew the river bank, the parks department moved the event to the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy.  

Then, COVID hit. The event returned back to River Bottom Park in 2021 and to Bedford Lake this year. Park officials said they hope to return to the Fire and Codes Academy in the future.  

The program began as “Take a Kid Fishing Day” for children ages 4-15 as a way to introduce more kids to outdoor recreation, said parks program director Jennifer Swann.  

“After the passing of Ed Carson, who was very active in the community, parks and recreation, and an avid outdoorsman, the event was named Ed Carson Memorial Fishing Day to honor him.”  

“Coach” Carson passed away in 2013, at the age of 81. No doubt he would have been cheering on the group gathered at Bedford Lake on Saturday.