Plainfield Fishing Derby Reels In The Fun

PLAINFIELD, IL — The cold spring weather didn’t dampened Sawyer’s enthusiasm for fishing during The Plainfield Park District’s Spring Fishing Derby.

The 10-year old from Plainfield said that when it comes to fishing with her dad, she likes just about everything about the experience.

She and her dad, Brian, try to get out to area fishing holes every weekend when the weather warms up and the District’s Spring Fishing Derby was the first chance the duo had to break out their tackle and fishing poles.

“I like seeing the bobber go down,” said Sawyer, pressed to pick just one thing she liked best about the experience.

Her dad, Brian, said that of his 3 kids—2 girls, and a college-age son—Sawyer was the one who took to the activity the most.

The two took part in the Plainfield Park District’s Spring Fishing Derby, an annual event that draws young anglers ages 3-13 from all over Plainfield and beyond.

Marquita, and her daughter, London, 3, from Naperville, had never fished before Saturday’s event at the pond at Van Horn Woods, 17200 S. Frontage Rd. in Plainfield.

“We thought we would try something new today,” said Marquita as a Plainfield Park District volunteer helped her get London’s new fishing pole set up with a sinker, bobber and bait.

Ed has been teaching his son Evan, 5, how to fish for a couple of years now. Evan said he likes to spend time with his dad and Ed said that he enjoys passing on the traditions of hunting and fishing that he learned as a kid growing up in northeastern Michigan. He said that his wife heard about the Plainfield Park District Fishing Derby on The District’s Face Book and thought it sounded like a good opportunity to “unplug” for a few hours.

The twice-annual event includes prizes for the longest fish caught in 3 age groups. This year, in the 3-5 year old division, 4-year-old Braden caught a 10-inch fish, while Jona, 5, caught a 5 ½ incher. Silvia, 8, won in the 6-8 year old division for reeling in a 6-inch fish and in the 9-13 age bracket, Haydon, 12, caught an 8-inch fish.

Prizes for longest fish and a raffle included Scout back packs filled with Plainfield Park District goodies as well as fishing equipment including nets, lures and tackle boxes.

While he didn’t catch a fish this time, 4-year-old Sammie, said he had fun spending time with his uncle Louis. The pair planned to spend the day together, and was headed to the Van Horn Woods playground after the event for more fun.

District Recreation Manager Misty Bartlett said that the event is a fun way to kick off the spring and noted that the Park District is planning its Fall Fishing Derby for September 8.

Submitted by the Plainfield Park District