150 kids hit lake for derby

BY Dawn Rankins

COVID-19-caused pent up demand brought 150 Canyon Lake kids to the annual Canyon Lake Kids Fishing Derby Saturday. After signing up between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., the kids, ages 5 to 15, spread out to all corners of the lake to fish for the biggest catch.

The Bassmasters Club-sponsored event was canceled last year because of the pandemic. It was resurrected this year and prizes and trophies were given to all who participated.

After spending the morning fishing, the children returned to Holiday Harbor at 11:00 a.m. for weigh in. Excited participants ran to the weigh in tables at the appointed time, all hoping to have caught the heaviest catch or the biggest fish.

The biggest overall fish caught was an 18.6-pound carp by Aiden Moreno.

In the Age 5-7 group, 1st place went to Joel Crew for his 15.1-pound total catch, followed by 2nd place Lockin Wright catching a total of 14 pounds and 3rd place went to Nixon and Colt with a 7.3-pound catch.

For the Age 8-10 group, winners were 1st place Aidan Moreno with 31.3 pounds caught, 2nd place went to JD Parker with a 17.6-pound catch and third place to Mike Pulley with 15.6 pounds.

The Age 12-15 group winners were 1st place Justin Tool with 16.1 pounds, 2nd place Brandon Helblock had 14.5 pounds and third place was Jacob Holter with 12.9 pounds.

The event allowed for three types of fish to be caught. Awards were also given for the biggest of each fish type.

Those who caught the biggest fish in each of the three fish categories as well as those who had the heaviest overall catch in the age categories received trophies at the Canyon Lake Kids Fishing Derby Saturday. Photo by Dawn Rankins.

The biggest Bluegill trophy went to Joel Crew with a 0.8 oz. fish. Big Catfish went to Justin Toll with an 11 pounder and the Big Carp trophy went to Aiden Moreno with his 18.6 catch.

After the weigh in, hot dogs were served and awards were given out. For many participants, the day was about more than just fishing. It was a day where sons and daughters hung out with parents and with siblings and friends.

Among the 150 participants was Maverick Fry, 7, who moved to Canyon Lake when he was 2 years old and loves to fish. He fished at Indian Beach with mom Katie.

Zachary, 8, and Charlotte Chacon, 10, fished at Roadrunner Park. Charlotte said she made sure she had her big brother bait her hook with those “yucky worms.”

This was this duo’s first time entering the Kids Fishing Derby as they just recently moved into Canyon Lake. Zachary’s mom said he has a real passion for the sport. She said that at times Zachary can be very active, yet, there’s something that’s quite calming about fishing to him.

Sometimes the strategy for catching the big one is all about location. 10-year-old Zachary Chacon finds his lucky spot during the Canyon Lake Kids Fishing Derby Saturday. Photo by Grant Foster.

A couple of families came together at Diamond Point where 5-year-old Shane Woolbright got to enjoy his first official entry into the derby. Big sister Madelyn Woolbright, 8, Colt Hinckley, 5, and Nixon Foisy, 5, all enjoyed fishing while parents cheered them on.

Every child who signed up received a prize. There were winners from each age group who received trophies. A drawing gave four lucky kids brand-new bicycles and five kids $100 gift cards, donated by Aftco American Fishing.

Winners of the bikes were Aiden Moreno, Annabelle Rowe, Kaiya Giles and Madelyn Woolbright.

The Bassmasters Club’s Joe Merrill barbecues the hot dogs for feeding the masses after the fishing took place at the Canyon Lake Kids Fishing Derby Saturday. Photo by Dawn Rankins.

Solitary fishing can appear to be lonely, but not for Maverick Fry, 7, who says fishing is his passion. Maverick participated in Saturday’s Canyon Lake Kids Fishing Derby. Photo by Grant Foster.

Hayden Mason, who just turned five on Aug. 5, shows off his big catch at the Canyon Lake Kids Fishing Derby Saturday. Photo by Grant Foster.

Participants were encouraged to throw the fish back in after weigh in, as this young man let’s his big catch of the day back into the lake. Photo by Dawn Rankins.