PENFIELD – The 33rd Annual Kids’ Fishing Derby at Parker Dam casted off Saturday morning. The children’s derby took place in the small section of Parker Dam in an effort to help keep control over the event with prizes given for biggest fish per year of age and other categories such as catching specialty fish.
The derby began with a good show as the fish brought in for the tournament arrived by truck and asked the participants to help in the release of the fish. Around 1200 fish were released an hour prior to the event. Six of the fish weighed over five pounds with seven being the heaviest. There were rainbow trout and palominos among those thrown.
The rules for the derby were that any child thirteen and younger could participate with adults assisting them as long as the adult had a valid fishing license. Fishing for the derby was limited to the small side of the lake to help keep control over the event. Adults were forbidden to fish on their own on the small side for the duration of the derby, but fishing was free for all on the big section and after 11:30 am.
The crowd was large with the official count of those present made at 10:00 being 394, but the operator Patrick Domico stated that with people coming and going he looked to be on par with the record crowds of last year’s derby. With the good weather, stated by Domic to be the best he has ever seen in the history of the derby, optimism was high from the get go for a good turn out.
“Last year we had a record breaking crowd of 1500 people, and I don’t see why we can’t beat it,” said Domico around 8 am, an hour before the event started.
The stocking added to the excitement for the kids as they got to help throw the fish in and could see the fish before they took to hiding.
“She’s out there counting 13 palominos,” said Chuck Shaffer of Curwensville shortly after the stocking.
Shaffar and his family had arrived early like many others for the derby. As his daughter , Jalyn Shaffar, excitedly stared at the fish Shaffar explained that they had arrived a “little bit late” last year and hadn’t seen anything.
This was a sentiment shared by others who arrived early. One family who one of the kids, Taylor Marshall, won the award for biggest fish in her age group, said they had been attending the derby for the last 22 years and had arrived for this one around 6 am. With the popular sport quickly filled nearly shoulder to shoulder the late comers either moved to the farther edges of the bank or looked for spots of those who already left.
Those who arrived early tended to gather around the tunnel where the small side of Parker Dam exited into the big side relying on a lesson learned in previous years to guide their position. As the day passed a channel in the lake and the sun beating down on the shallower small side continuously nudging the fish towards the deeper big side. The dozens of palominos acting almost like a fish powered clock.
“Nothing yet, but we are having fun,” said John Haight of Clearfield when asked if his kid caught anything towards the end of the tournament.
Haight’s son, John jr., was the winner of last year’s five year old group and was even using the fishing pole won then this year.
“It is more fun when you catch something, but it is fun anyways,” explained Haight as his son continued fishing from his frog themed folding chair. Later said “With the price of gas this is a nice little get away. You’re not spending $600 to go someplace just like this.”
Overall when asked the participants seemed to have enjoyed themselves despite only 55 fish were caught over the course of the day. At least one kid hit the limit of five fish and several more reeled in at least three. Some having more endurance than others as the derby ran on some kids made a break for the beach and some of the older participants could still be seen casting long after the awards were given out.
Prizes were donated by several sources for the derby. Gold coins were given by Ron Lippart. Zalno’s Jewelers provided trophies that were given out to the winners, a first in the history of the derby. The Zebco Rod and Reels which were given out were provided by the Wal-mart Distribution Center. Other awards were given and donated throughout the course of the event.
“We do everything local,” explained Domico.
The bait was provided by the Curwensville Anglers. Since the Parker Dam concession stand isn’t open for the year yet a Palumbo’s trailer pulled up to fill the gap for the day.
“I am the one honored to put this on,” said Domico after the event.
Domico went on to say how glad he was to be given the oportunity to hold the derby and the yearly donations that made it possible.
Award categories:
*First Fish, gold coin – Cody Long, 13 inch Rainbow Trout
*Tagged Trout rewarded a $25 Sheetz coupon – None, it remains at large.
*First palomino caught, a Zebco Rod and Reel fishing pole – Taylor Marshall of Clearfield
*First to five fish limit, a Zebcco Rod and Reel fishing pole – Dylan Myers of Curwensville
*First fish, fish after the first received gold coins up to 9 then assorted items till out.
Largest fish per age:
*Age bracket winners also received Zebco Rod and Reels and a trophy
*1 years: No 1 year olds came forward with a fish.
*2 years: Max Maines of Woodland
*3 years: Ethan Bloom of Sykesville.
*4 years: Chase Irwin of Curwensville
*5 years: Tayler Marshal of Clearfield
*6 years: Hunter Bloom of Sykesville and Nickolas Hobber(?) of Curwensville
*7 years: Noah Bloom of Clearfield
*8 years: Chelsea Myers of Penfield
*9 years: No nine year olds turned in a fish.
*10 years: Josiline Hirsch of Clearfield.
*11 years: No 11 year old turned in a fish.
*12 years: Morgan Bell of Sykesville
*13 years:No 13 year old turned in a fish.
*Grand Prize (Biggest fish for the whole derby): Chelsea Myers of Penfield