Sixteen area youngsters, ages 4 to 12, participated in the 2017 Kids Fishing Derby on Saturday, September 3rd at Johnson Point. The event was sponsored by the Lake Auman Sports Club which provided trophies and prizes, most of the bait and served refreshments and snacks afterwards. Sports Club members Charlie Flinchum, Dave Lamon, Frank Land and Jim Pierman were the contest officials measuring and recording all the fish caught. They were also distributing worms for bait and helping take fish off the hook when needed.
Participants were divided into two age groups, age eight to twelve years and age seven years and younger. Prizes were awarded in each age group for the most fish caught and for the largest fish caught. For the younger group with six fishermen, Brennan Garske, age four, won for most fish caught for the second year in a row catching a total of ten fish and six year old Juaquin Mimms’ eight inch bream took top prize for the biggest fish. Ten anglers competed in the older group with Eric Lovett, age ten, leading the field to take first place catching an amazing total of twenty-two fish and the largest fish, a thirteen inch bass, was caught by Bryan Turner, age nine.
The event demonstrated the mission statement of Lake Auman Sports Club to “Enhance the value of Lake Auman to the residents by providing programs that improve fishing, promote more enjoyment from fishing and by sponsoring other sports programs based on the surveyed interest of the community.” Event organizer Don Smith was pleased with the number and enthusiasm of the young anglers. The Sports Club was also appreciative of the participants, parents and grandparents for exhibiting true sportsmanship and good humor during the contest.
