All Find Fun, A Few Find Fish at Winding Trails Derby

More than 300 people turned out for the Winding Trails Fishing Derby on a spring-like morning Saturday. Children lined the banks of Dunning Lake, casting their lines in hopes of catching the biggest fish – or any fish.

And though only about 30 people caught fish, most had fun in the attempt.

Logan Boyd, whose aunt Carolyn Grady brought him to the derby, gave up on catching fish and tried for sticks, instead. He’d also caught some pinecones.

Hannah Santa Maria didn’t catch any fish either, just some trees and at, one point, Logan.

“It’s good daddy-daughter time,” her dad said.

Jack Adams, 5, gave up on fishing and examined some spiders gliding on the surface of the water.

Some were successful in reeling in the sunnies, perch, golden and other types of trout in Dunning Lake. Winding Trails had stocked the lake last week in preparation for the event.

The winners were:

Olivia Genovese, who caught the heaviest non-trout, a perch at .75 pounds

Geoff Kirk, who caught the longest fish, a brook trout at 15.33 inches

Jack Hogan, who caught the first fish

Hunter Caoutte, who caught the first golden trout

In the 5-7 year age group there was a three-way tie for second place, going to:

Zachary Chessey, Alexa Bonini and Chris Hillmeyer

First place - Tyler Wentworth

In the 10-15 year age group:

First place – Murphy Greninger

Second place –Tom Messier

Third place – Elena Borio

Special thanks for supporting the event went to sponsors Unionville Knights of Columbus, Farmington Game Club and REI. All proceeds from the sale of food and raffle tickets go to the campership fund, which helps children attend camp at Winding Trails.