Sports

Youth Fishing Derby To Be Held Saturday

North Point State Park volunteers have been organizing a popular fishing derby for kids since the mid-1990s.

With temperatures expected to remain below 90 degrees Saturday, the North Point State Park volunteers are expecting a big turnout for Youth Fishing Derby.

"We had 103 kids one year, 2001, that was our largest group," said Toni Quaty, a longtime state park volunteer. "Last year, it was really hot and we had 44. We had 50 two years ago. They [the state park rangers] say they've been getting a lot of phone calls about it."

The derby is open to kids 4 to 15 years old. Registration is $3 per child and begins at 7:45 a.m. The derby is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 11 a.m. The casting contest begins at 11:30 a.m.

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Prizes include rods and reels, tackle boxes and trophies. Blue Fin Tackle & Bait on Wise Avenue, Mars supermarkets, the Maryland Saltwater Sport Fishermen's Association, Chick-fil-A, Fearl's bait shop, Midway Lumber, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Department of Natural Resources Police are among those who have made contributions supporting the derby.

A catch and release derby, kids generally land sunfish, white and yellow birch, rockfish, and occasionally catfish at North Point. 

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A second derby at North Point State Park is planned for Sept. 10.

"It's a chance for kids to get out and enjoy fishing, and learn about fishing," Quaty said. "It's also good one-on-one time for the parents who bring the kids. It's like that Trace Adkins' song, 'Just Fishin,'—it's about more than fishing."


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