For 20-plus years, the Saturday before Fathers’ Day, is Pike County’s Kids Fishing Day.

Kids, ages five through 15, are invited to a free day of fishing with their dad, grandad or another special person in their lives at Clay Hill Farms in Pronto on Saturday.

Pike County Kids’ Fishing Day is an educational fishing experience for children.

Jerry Jinright, Pike County Conservation Officer, said the first year of Pike County Kids Fishing is not certain, but it actually started at Pike County Lake. But, after a few s years, the lake was temporarily closed to fishing.

When John Dorrill of Pronto learned there would be no free fishing place for kids, he volunteered his pond at Clay Hill Farms and, at once, began preparing the pond for kids to fish. The first Pike County Kids Fishing Day at Clay Hill Farms was a success. The kids had fun and caught a few fish. The next year, more kids came and more fish were caught.

“John always had as much, if not more, fun than the kids,” Carol Dorrill said. “When Pike County Lake re-opened for fishing, John wanted to keep the special fishing day for kids at Clay Hill Farms.”

Dorrill dedicated time and dollars to making the pond area more kid-friendly. Each year, kids enjoyed the opportunity to fish at “their pond” on Kids Fishing Day.

When John Dorrill died, his wife didn’t hesitate to continue Kids Fishing Day at Clay Hill Farms.

“John loved having the kids around,” she said. “So, there was never any indecision among the family about hosting Kids Fishing Day at Clay Hill Farms. It gives you a warm feeling to see kids having a good time fishing and their excitement at catching even a small fish.

“We are looking forward to continuing Kids Fishing Day at Clay Hill Farms. That’s what John would want and that’s what the family wants.”

Directions to Clayhill Farms from Troy: South on Highway 231 for about four miles. Turn left on County Road 5522. At the stop sign, turn right onto County Road 5511 and go 1.2 miles. Turn left onto County Road 5523 (Norman Wilson Road) and go 1.4 miles. Clay Hill Farms is on the left.

Directions from Brundidge: North of Alabama Highway 93 about 3.5 miles. Turn left onto County Road 5523 (Norman Wilson Road) and go 1.4 miles. Clay Hill Farms is on the right.