Fishing Derby A Success

While the State of Connecticut encouraged people to visit certain state parks on Saturday and Sunday, the Waterford Recreation and Parks Department held their annual fishing derby Saturday at Waterford's own hidden jewel, .

This annual derby draws multi-generational families with grandparents bringing their sons and daughters as well as their grandchildren to this event. With Saturday's weather one couldn't ask for a better day to introduce youngsters to fishing. 

This years event drew close to 100 people, making fishing locations tough to find. Forty fish were caught by 21 different people as well as one frog and one turtle and not to mention many trees and branches that caused frustration and laughter. 

The first fish of the derby was caught within 15 seconds of the start by Riley McDonough. The largest fish was caught by Thomas Uguccioni weighing in at over 2 pounds and was 19 inches long, followed closely by Andrew Bartolotta's fish, which weighed 2 pounds and measuring 18 inches. Another close category was the most fish caught; with Quinn LeBelle winning, followed closely by Matthew Uguccioni, Riley McDonough and Thomas Uguccioni.

The youngest fisherman was Branson Leone, who caught two fish at the age of 3.  The first female fisherwomen who caught a fish was Abby Shepard, who has been attending since she was about 1-year-old and is now in the fourth grade.

A true fisherman in the making was little Elly, who brought up a fish that was 6 ounces and 9 inches long but told us we should have seen the one that got her bait and took off, it was this "B-I-G." A great time was had by all!