Major HOFNOD Event Set for This Weekend in Elkins

Up to three-thousand people are expected to be on hand for this weekend’s annual Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs Event in Randolph County.   It’s the 16th year for the expo which has grown exponentially over the years.

"I think it originally started in the school system and they weren’t able to keep it going," said HOFNOD Committee Chairperson Robin Miller. "So just a group of people from the West Virginia DNR and the hospital got it back up and running."

What started as an event to encourage children to pick up fishing as a hobby and a way to keep them away from problematic influences in life, has become an amazingly large community centered exposition.

"We have a thousand fishing poles to give away every year," said Miller.  "This year we have over 55 vendors attending." 

Each of those vendors is loosely themed toward fishing, drug abuse prevention, or children.   Miller says despite the size, the ideals remain the same.

"It’s just to get kids in the outdoors and do something healthy and stay off drugs," said Miller.

Besides the fishing poles given away by the organization, there are dozens of other raffles with prizes for children.   Several school clubs use the opportunity to raise money for their organizations and to show off their work.

"If children have a school project that’s themed toward fishing or the outdoors, we’ll let them set it up at the event," Miller said. "It also gives the kids a chance to get involved in a lot of community service work."

Children will even be given the opportunity to catch fish, free of charge, in an on-site trout pond and learn fishing techniques from bass pros at the “Hog Trough,” a gigantic aquarium on wheels where you can see how fish react as a lure passes through the water.

HOFNOD is a national organization with chapters nationwide.   The Randolph County chapter is affiliated with the national group, but has expanded well beyond what most clubs deliver.  It’s one of the biggest HOFNOD events in the entire nation.

Miller credits the success to a lot of community involvement.  Dozens of Randolph County businesses put up money and donate their time and services to the event.   Many other community members get involved in volunteering for the event. 

Admission is free, but organizers hope those attending will bring at least one child along.    There is also a bin set up at the door allowing the donations of canned goods to benefit the local food pantry.   Hours are Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday noon-5pm.

"Everybody’s cooped up all winter, it’s time to get out and they want to get out and start doing something.   This is a good event to bring the kids out to," said Miller.