WHITINGHAM- The Deerfield Valley Sportsmen’s Club sponsored the Kids Hooked on Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 12. Sixty-four contestants braved the 55 degree overcast day, topped off with a couple of downpours of heavy rain. The State of Vermont Bennington Hatchery supplied 275 trout. Forty-two fish were caught from the 62-degree water, 26 of them were the stocked trout.

Contestants competed in their own age categories for tackle boxes and fishing poles. Categories were for the smallest, most, and biggest fish. Under 4 years old: Jack Tower caught the smallest perch, 5.25 inches, Emily Worden entered the most fish and Brooklyn Russell caught the biggest, a 10.75” trout. Age 5-7: Smallest fish was caught by Fin Fisher with 5.5” perch, Cooper Adams caught the most fish, Bridget Schneider landed the biggest fish, a 10 3/8” trout. Age 12-14: Oscar Smith caught the 9.75” smallest fish. Jacob Hicks caught the most trout and Ethan Betit landed the biggest fish in the category along with the biggest fish of the derby, a 17.5” pickerel.

Thirty-three contestants competed for the free fishing poles in the casting contest. Eric Longe won the under-10-years-old category. Callie Dix won the 11-14-year-old category.

Gary, Marshall and Jolene Dix served hot dogs. “Grandpa” Donnie Boyd officially measured every fish entered. Jeanette Linnehan and Christy Betit registered and logged official check-ins. Carla Patterson assisted with the registration distributing goodie bags. Mike Linnehan untangled lines, took photographs, and was the official medic in case of an emergency. Brian, Ethan and Celia Betit worked like beavers setting up and taking it all down again. Brian Betit ran the casting contest. Dylan and Peter Saladino helped “Miss” Deb assemble 100 goodie bags and were great little gofers; go for this and go for that! Thank you, everyone who jumped in and helped “Mr.” Bill. For the first time ever, “Miss” Deb couldn’t be there. A great job was done by all who helped.