Youth fishing derby will return on July 18
Photos by Tom Rivers: Avion Johnson, 11, of Medina holds an 11 ½-inch largemouth bass he caught on July 13 at Point Breeze in the first youth fishing derby organized by DC Outdoors. The derby will return on July 18.
CARLTON – After a successful first-time youth fishing derby last July 13 with about 60 kids participating, organizers at DC Outdoors are planning a second derby this year on July 18.
This time it will offer more prizes and raffle items at a picnic to follow the derby.
“We want to encourage kids and their families to experience the outdoors,” said Dan Conrad, one of the organizers of the derby and the leader of DC Outdoors.
Last year volunteers put together the derby on two month’s notice. This time they will be working on it for several months. They already have received donations from the Buffalo Bills, the Rochester Razorsharks, and outdoors stars such as Todd Huynh of Keeping It Reel and Jamie Hartman of the Bassmasters Elite Series.
The derby is open to kids 15 and younger. There are three age divisions for prizes. The awards include:
12-15 years of age
Heaviest fish – a charter for the child and 1 guest.
Longest fish – $50 gift card
Shortest fish – tackle box full of tackle
6-11 years of age
Heaviest fish – A day on the water at Captain’s Cove with family
Longest fish – $50 gift card
Shortest fish – tackle box full of tackle
5 years of age and younger
Heaviest fish – a new bike and helmet
Longest fish – $50 gift card
Shortest fish – tackle box full of tackle
The entry fee to participate in the derby is $5, and that includes a T-shirt and food at the picnic to follow. (The deadline to preregister to ensure getting a shirt is June 18.)
If you don’t want to fish, it’s $5 to go to the picnic and enjoy the food, music, face-painting and other children’s activities. DC Outdoors will also have fishing poles and tackle available at the derby for children who don’t have their own.
Conrad and DC Outdoors volunteers are also coordinating with Hoag Library to have a fishing clinic ahead of the derby to teach kids how to cast, put worms on hooks and learn different species of fish.
Conrad said proceeds from the derby will go towards a big goal of a rec center, perhaps at Bullard Park where people could take hunter safety classes and learn about the outdoors.
To sponsor the derby, volunteer or make a donation, contact Dan Conrad at (585) 590-1148, James Tokotch at (716) 266-3505 or David Twiss at (585) 332-6001.
Kids ages 6 to 10 fished at Point Breeze at the first derby, with many casting from the eastern pier.
