More than 200 children ages 4-16 took baited lines and cast lures in today's annual Kid's Fishing Derby at Motts Run Reservoir in Spotsylvania County. The event is organized by the Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation Department and the Weekend Basser's Club. The event began at 7:30 a.m., and kids had until 12 noon to catch as many fish as they could.
According to Linda Bailey, nature education coordinator at the Motts Run Nature Center, this year was the most successful derby in terms of number of registered participants that she has seen in her 17 years working for the city.
In addition to promoting the past-time of fishing, the event also had a competitive edge, with kids competing by age group and for overall grand prizes.
Grand Prizes Name 3rd Place Justin Smith 2nd Place Jonathan Leneker 1st Place Eric Miller Most Fish Jonathan Kaylor (Caught 20) Biggest Fish Justin Smith (Caught 6.08lb, 23.5" largemouth bass) Division: 4 and Under Name 5th Place Caley Bertner 4th Place Emma Micks 3rd Place Riley Kelly 2nd Place Billy Panaranda 1st Place Luke Chavis Most Fish Billy Panaranda Biggest Fish Luke Chavis Division: 5 and 6 year-olds Name 5th Place Mackayla Williams (#18) 4th Place Jaqueline Lovejoy 3rd Place Landon Sexton 2nd Place James Colvin 1st Place Mackayla Williams (#11) Most Fish James Colvin Biggest Fish Jaqueline Lovejoy Division: 7 and 8 year-olds Name 5th Place Samuel Bakerian 4th Place Cason Brooks 3rd Place Pops Chavez 2nd Place Kendall Alexander 1st Place Eric Miller Most Fish Eric Miller Biggest Fish Kendall Alexander Division: 9 and 10 year-olds Name 5th Place Andrew McCollom 4th Place Brandon Treig 3rd Place Ben Hudson 2nd Place Graham Cerataugh 1st Place Jessica Conway Most Fish Ben Hudson Biggest Fish Jessica Conway Division: 11 and 12 year-olds Name 5th Place Emily Oceanic 4th Place Nigel Andrews 3rd Place Jonathan Kaylor 2nd Place Justin Smith 1st Place Jonathan Zinicker Most Fish Jonathan Kaylor Biggest Fish Justin Smith Division: 13 to 16 year-olds Name 5th Place Chandler Caldwell 4th Place Caitlin Coates 3rd Place Cara Tranquil 2nd Place David Coates 1st Place Jonathan Zinaker Most Fish Jonathan Zinaker Biggest Fish Jonathan Zinaker
William