Annual kids' fishing derby a 'reel' success

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Austin M. May
  • 47th FTW public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The hottest fishing tournament of the month was held not at Lake Amistad, but on the shores of the pond at Leaning Pine Golf Course June 1.

There were no convoys of colorful shrink-wrapped boats laden with advertisements. No media-heavy weigh-in with screaming fans and flashing cameras. No $25,000 grand prize.

No, the 4th Annual Laughlin Fishing Derby had something unique: 56 smiling kids, standing alongside their parents, pulling fish after flopping fish from the water in hopes of winning one of several prizes.

A total of 131 fish, mostly bass and perch, were weighed in by the end of the day. The largest was a bass tipping the scales at one pound, 8 ounces, and measuring 15 inches long.

A heaping pile of fishing-related prizes, including tackle boxes and rod and reel combos, was donated by the Laughlin Base Exchange.

The winners, by category, were as follows:

Most fish caught:

Age category 1-5: 1st place- Ethan Sevier, 2nd- Dennis Beug
Age category 6-8: 1st place- Alexandra Aguirre, 2nd- Morgan Knox
Age category 9-12: 1st place- Anthony Thomas, 2nd- Jacob Caniglia
Age Category 13-18: 1st place- Joshua Workman

Biggest fish contest winners:

Age category 1-5: 1st place- Brenden Kealoha, 2nd- Ethan Sevier
Age Category 6-8: 1st place- Christian Waterman, 2nd- Victoria Valez
Age Category 9-12: 1st place- Josiah Workman, 2nd- Emma Waterman
Age Category 13-18: 1st place- Joshua Workman

Casting contest winners:

Age category 1-5: 1st place- Ethan Sevier, 2nd- Caleb Poarch
Age Category 6-8: 1st place- Morgan Knox, 2nd- Kari Peterson
Age Category 9-12: 1st place- Jacob Caniglia, 2nd- Emma Waterman
Age Category 13-18: No participation

Mike Easterly, Community services flight chief, said while the "lure" of a successful backyard fishing trip may be strong, fishing from the golf course pond is prohibited, with an exception made for the derby.

The tournament participants observed catch-and-release etiquette.