Area kids enjoy Weldon Springs Fishing Derby

 

[June 19, 2018] 

Visitors to Weldon Springs on Saturday morning found the lake swarmed with children and their fishing rods.

The Weldon Springs Foundation and Boy Scout Troop 142 held the annual Kid’s Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 16, with 30 youth signing up for a morning of fishing.

The free event features a two-hour competition to see how many fish each child can catch along with who catches the largest fish. This year two of the youngest came up with the best efforts. Kennedy Rusk, 5, caught the most fish with 26, and Jacob Nichols, 6, caught one that was 22 inches in length.

Assistant Scoutmaster Ron Armstrong, Clinton, ran the morning event this year for the first time and was quite pleased with the results.

“Thirty kids participated in the derby today despite the heat advisory. They caught and released a total of 213 fish. Through the generous donations of others we were able to give away over a $1,000 worth of merchandise to the young competitors this year.
Everyone went home with a rod and reel or a tackle box,” said Armstrong.

Bass Pro Shop from Peoria was the biggest donor for the event along with Walmart, the foundation and a local doctor who wishes to remain anonymous. The event has attracted many area youth since Carol Thompson began the event a number of years ago. When she passed away Don Husted stepped up to the director spot and has helped gather the numerous prizes.

The event is timed to coincide with the Free Fishing Days in Illinois from June 15 - 16.

Brayden Sprowls, 6, is helped by his father Zachery Sprowls of Lincoln, during the derby.

Full List of winners:

Overall

Kennedy Rusk, 5, largest number of fish caught 26

Jacob Nichols, 6, largest fish caught at 22 inches

Categories for numbers of fish caught:

Six years and younger:

1st: Kennedy Rusk
2nd: Jacob Nichols
3rd: Breyden Dyer

Seven to Nine

1st: Aiden Polen
2nd: Jacob Thorsen
3rd: Zoey Reece

Ten to twelve

1st: Isaiah Martin
2nd: Clint Reece
3rd: Clayton Thorson

[Ed Cicenas]