Norco Spring Fishing Derby – hauling in the big ones

The Norco Fish Committee says a big thanks everyone who did a great job cleaning the pond and readying fish shack.

The Annual fish derby started at 8:00 a.m. in the rain but the kids didn’t mind and loved the doughnuts. Thank you Rudy Sax for providing a nice assortment of fresh donuts.  Charlie and Tom looked good around the stove and the brand new grille for both cooking up hearty breakfast sandwiches and a wide assortment of lunch options ranging from burgers & dogs to bear stew to venison sausage.   Corey captured the day taking many pictures and squeezed in some casting as well.   Ed collected prize-pool funds and was the official judge who measured the fish (filling in for Dominic).

The first fish to be caught was a frantic casting race between Paul and Rudy but Rudy landed a trout first – sorry Paul – better luck next year.

We had a good turn out of kids, about 20 in total. Many caught trout and received a fishing gift/prize – thanks to the Fish Committee.  We had about 20 adults show, many caught trout as well.  Trout were taken on earth worms, powerbait, mealworms, minnows, and an assortment of trout spoons and spinners.  When the action tapered off, kids had fun netting salamanders.   Fish stocked were rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout – fish ranged in size from 8″-14″ , plus a few >14″ . Several were caught in the 12″-15″ range.

Adult Winners based on length of fish: 1st place Paul Whalen; 2nd place John Lee; 3rd place Rocky Trotto

Youth Winners: 1st place Luke Patton; 2nd place Jack Lee, 3rd place Tom Robinson; 4th place: Riley Holwell; 5th place Rachael Lee

The weather mellowed and provided a nice day in the 70s.  Fishing action picked up again in the late evening.

Good luck to everyone returning to the Norco Pond to catch more trout , and wherever you travel the rest of the year to cast a line. As the old saying goes, “a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work.”