Sunday morning at Smallwood State Park was filled with laughs and thrills as area youth competed for top prizes in the fishing derby. Children 15 and younger were casting their rods in hopes of catching some of the area fish. The famous large mouth bass, sunfish, yellow perch, catfish, crappies, were just a few of the fish for the taking. Kyle Morgan, a 14 year old from Anne Arundel County won the derby and a fishing rod last year by catching the largest large mouth bass in the competition. “I caught 15 fish last year, I’m bass fishing only now and I caught three yesterday, so I guess I’m doing something right.” He laughed as people joked he wasn’t interested in small fish anymore. The fishing derby was started 7 years ago as a way to promote youth fishing that was free and not focused on a particular species.
Ranger Bill Moffat who has been with Smallwood State Park since 1992 said the event is a way to connect families with the outdoors as well as a way to acknowledge young fishers for whatever they caught. The program has maintained a steady crowd throughout the years and the delight can be seen on every child’s face. 12-year-old Alexia Dehetre and her younger sister were fishing the derby with their grandma. Dehetre won second place last year and received a filled tackle box. “The best part of this event is catching fish”, Dehetre said as she held up her third fish caught so far today. The weather was perfect and the young anglers enjoyed a slight breeze off the Potomac, as they continued to happily reel fish out of the water. Newcomer Austin Dalton, 10, caught seven fish before the official start and was in the lead with an 8in blue gill fish, when he said, “Get the net, I’m ready to catch some bass!” The derby, which ran from 9am to 1pm celebrated families with tranquility, excitement and reward. Allan Marsell from Waldorf was helping his three granddaughters put worms on their lines. After his 9-year-old granddaughter caught a 7” pumpkin seed fish, he said, “You know fishing is patience.” Their patience was definitely rewarded.
