Winning Junior Fishing Derby contestants Rylee Rodrigues, front left, Alea Wright, Payton Cox, Henry Mossman, Greg Armstead, Cameron Wattenburg, Jovanni Garcia, Maddison Reid, middle left, Jesse Dieter and Hayden McElhaney pose with derby committee members Jim Chapman, back left, Wade Workman, David Teeter, Tina Rich, club president and derby chairman Don Spalding, Carla Dieter and Leroy Dieter for a group photo after the final results of the derby were announced. Winners not pictured include Trinitee Cabrera, Tucker Carver, Bailee Jackson, Henlee Sykes and Samuel Anderson. Photo submitted

Sports

Junior Fishing Derby delights children

May 1, 2018May 7, 2018 Ashley Grogan, Sports Editor

Trinitee Cabrera poses with her dad, Cory Cabrara, and the fish that earned her first place for the Junior Fishing Derby girls’ age 2 to 5 division. Photo submitted

The annual Junior Fishing Derby returned to Susanville for the 29th year Saturday, April 21.

A bright, sunny day with light winds and a high of 75 degrees resulted in the Susan River and Piute Creek surrounded with Lassen County youth eager to spend the day outdoors and reap the rewards.

Of the 450 registered participants, 153 children were between the ages of 2 and 5 and the remaining 297 were between the ages of 6 and 15.

The contestants were divided into four groups based on age and gender. By the end of the derby, the three contestants of each group with the largest fish – measured by weight, then length – received prizes.

First place fishers earned a bicycle. Second place fishers received a fishing pole. Third place fishers were prized with a tackle box.

Norah Kessler, 3, reels in a fish during her quest to bring in a big one at the Junior Fishing Derby Saturday, April 21. Photo by Ashley Grogan

For the girls’ ages 2 to 5 division, Trinitee Cabrera earned first with a fish weighing 3 pounds and 11 ounces with a length of 20.25 inches. Rylee Rodrigues earned second with a fish weighing 3 pounds and 5 ounces with a length of 19.5 inches. Payton Cox finished third with a fish weighing 3 pounds and 4 ounces with a length of 20 inches.

In the boys’ ages 2 to 5 division, Gage Armstead earned first with a fish weighing 2 pounds and 13 ounces with a length of 18.5 inches. Tucker Carver finished second with a fish weighing 2 pounds and 9 ounces with a length of 18 inches. Henry Mossman earned third with a fish weighing 2 pounds and 7 ounces with a length of 18.75 inches.

Jesse Dieter, 6, poses with his fishing pole while participating in the 29th annual Junior Fishing Derby. Photo by Ashley Grogan

As for the girls’ ages 6 to 15 division, Maddison Reid earned first place with a fish weighing 3 pounds and 8 ounces with a length of 19.5 inches. Bailee Jackson earned second with a fish weighing 2 pounds and 15 ounces with a length of 18.25 inches. Alea Wright finished in third with a fish weighing 2 pounds and 14 ounces with a length of 19.5 inches.

For the boys’ ages 6 to 15 division, Hayden McElhaney earned first place with a fish weighing 3 pounds and 9 ounces with a length of 20.5 inches. Jovanni Garcia finished in second with a fish weighing 2 pounds and 11 ounces with a length of 18.75 inches. Cameron Wattenburg earned third with a fish weighing 2 pounds and 11 ounces with a length of 18.75 inches.

Additionally, the Junior Fishing Derby presented two Sportsmanship Awards. Recipients of the awards were Henlee Sykes, 3, and Samuel Anderson, 5.