Page 17 - 2019 MAY/JUNE Outdoor Oklahoma

Bolton said the South Lakes site was selected based on
three criteria: DARRIN HILLODWC
• The site needed to be close to neighborhoods.
• The site needed to have fishable waters with an
existing fish population.
• The site needed to have some facilities already present.
The dock should be in place by July.
Bolton said the pro player is an authentic angler through
and through. “I think his love of fishing is very apparent. He
is very comfortable with fishing equipment in his hands.”
George said he is thrilled with the dock project. “I want-
ed to pair the two, between basketball and fishing, which
are my two favorite hobbies you know, my two passions.
“I’m having my own fishing dock, which is pretty cool
to me.”
George and his foundation have held other events to
support the partnership with OKFITS. This past summer, he
gathered many of his Thunder teammates and put on a fish-
ing tournament in California, his native stomping grounds.
And this past fall, he invited fourth-graders to share an after-
noon of fishing with him on a private lake near Arcadia.
Bolton said, “PG’s efforts fit nicely with what we are
trying to do at ODWC.” Among other Fisheries priorities,
the Department is giving its Close to Home fishing pro- An OKFITS student tries to catch a fish under the watchful eyes of Paul
gram a face-lift. These urban waters offer convenient George and his father in the background.

DARRIN HILL/ODWC

PG13 and some lucky fourth-graders fished from the boat during an enjoyable fall afternoon of fishing near Arcadia.
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