Reeling ‘Em In
Annual fishing derby provides a great day for family fun
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- U. S. Forest Service Stearns District Ranger Tim Reed and Wildlife Biologist Joe Metzmeier discuss safety with a large group of girls and boys who were eager to fish.
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- A dad proudly watches his son fish at the 2015 Kids Fishing Derby.
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- King is also pictured with his son.
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- A proud young man watches as his catch for the day, including the prize albino, are weighed.
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- Fish and Wildlife Officer Chris King discussed wildlife with interested children as they waited for the fishing derby awards presentation. King represented the KY Conservation Officers Association (KCOA) in presenting rods and reels to winners of the derby. The KCOA also donated money for the Masonic Lodge to grill hamburgers at the Kids’ Fishing Derby.
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- The Stearns Ranger District U. S. Forest Service stocked more than 1,200 pounds of catfish in preparation for the annual Kids’ Fishing Derby. The fish were released from a truck tank to sail down a “catfish water slide” before landing in the Barren Fork Fishing Pond.
One hundred, twenty-five eligible kids cast their lines during the U. S. Forest Service’s annual Kids’ Fishing Derby sponsored locally by the Stearns Ranger District and other local businesses and organizations. With over 1,200 pounds of catfish stocked in the Barren Fork Fishing Pond prior to the event, odds were good that most of the participating kids from ages five through fifteen would hook some hefty fish.
A total of 553.08 pounds of fish was caught during three hours of fishing derby time. Children, from age five through nine, managed to reel in a total of 211.91 pounds of fish. The top three weights in the 5-9 age bracket were Brock Watson with 21.74 pounds, Riley Crabtree with 15.44 pounds, and Emmanuel Meadows with 14.74 pounds of catfish.
Participants, from age ten through fifteen, hooked a whopping total of 341.17 pounds of catfish with first place going to Jacob Cooper’s 31.61 pounds. John Phillips finished second with 25.62 pounds. Brandon Vaughn rounded out the top three weights with a total of 21.13 pounds of catfish.
Sponsors, in addition to the Stearns Ranger District-U.S. Forest Service, included the Orie S. Ware Masonic Lodge, Pine Knot Job Corps, Stacy White and the United Trappers of KY, Big South Fork Outdoors, Kentucky Conservation Officer Association (KCOA), Champions/Unite Against Drugs, and individual employees of the Stearns Ranger District-U.S. Forest Service.
This year’s fishing derby was dedicated in honor of Sam Anderson who died in a tragic car accident last fall. As a dedicated Mason and valued employee of the Stearns Ranger District, Anderson was always a familiar face and busy worker at the annual event.
In addition to the excitement of fishing, those attending the derby enjoyed grilled hot dogs and hamburgers prepared by the Pine Knot Job Corps’ culinary crew and members of the Orie S. Ware Masonic Lodge. Numerous prizes, including rods and reels and fishing tackle, were distributed to those participating in the 2015 Kids’ Fishing Derby.
