WHITINGHAM- The Deerfield Valley Sportsmen’s Club hosted the “Kids Hooked on Fishing Derby” at Lake Clara on June 9 on Vermont’s free fishing day. Fifty-seven contestants enjoyed the day. The water temperature was a chilly 60 degrees but that helped make the 150 trout stocked by the state’s Bennington Fish Culture Station very active and 82 trout were landed.

A total of 117 fish were caught by 44 anglers. Connor Dupuis landed the overall biggest fish of the derby with an 18 ¼” pickerel, Dupuis went home with a new rod, reel, and tackle box.

Under 4-years-old: smallest fish- Kaelyn Lackey, 8 ½” perch; most fish- Trevor Briggs, 3-years-old with three fish; biggest fish- Kurtis Hitt, 3-years-old.

5- to 7-years old: smallest fish-Joey Crafts 5 ¼” Perch; most fish- Icabaud Clarke with four fish; biggest fish- Leann Crafts with 12 ½” pickerel.

8- to 11-years old: smallest fish- Peter Saladino 5 ½” perch; most fish- Celia Betit; biggest fish- Noah Crawford with 17 ½” pickerel

12- to 14-years old: smallest fish- Travis Betit 5 ½” perch, most fish- Brian Betit with nine fish; biggest fish- Ariana Hroubosky 11/ ¼” trout.

Casting contest: under 10-years-old, Cody Birch, 11- to 14-years-old, Dawson Boyd. Each won a Zebco 202 rod and real set.

All of the youth enjoyed hot dogs, ice pops, lemonade, gift bags, and those that did not win one of the above prizes received a donated item from Sugar House Builders, C&S Beverage, North Star Bowl, Rite Aide, Shaw’s, Jacksonville Store, First Stop Convenience, Family Dollar, Jim and Kathy Martin, Mike Austin, Tommy’s Pizza, Brian and Christy Betit, Gary and Ashley Dix, Bill Matuszeski and Mary Proctor, and Wahoo’s of Wilmington.