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Young anglers take over Parkersburg parks for fishing derby

Photo by Jeffrey Saulton Isabella Wright, left, and Emmaline Atkinson, right, wait for a bite on their lures during the 37th annual Parkersburg Fishing Derby at the City Park Pond on Saturday.

PARKERSBURG — Close to 600 children made their ways to the City Park and Southwood Park ponds Saturday morning to make their own fish tales for the 37th annual Parkersburg Fishing Derby sponsored by the Wood County Recreation Commission.

In preparation for the tournament approximately 1,000 pounds of trout — rainbow, brown and brook — were stocked in each place by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The ponds were closed to public fishing from the time the trout were released Thursday until after the derby on Saturday afternoon.

One feature for many years –the golden trout — was a sought-after catch but for 2016 and this year, it was replaced with a tagged trout.

Matt Shivley, chairman of the judging at City Park, said the 300 children at City Park was a normal turnout for the tournament. Organizers said about 250 turned out for the event at Southwood Park.

Baylee Cain, of Davisville caught a fish early on Saturday. While it was her first derby, it was not her first time fishing.

Photo by Jeffrey Saulton Baylee Cain and her dad, Adam Cain, hold a fish she caught in the City Park Pond.

“We go fishing all the time,” said her mother Kristin Cain. “She has caught them before but she’s getting tired here today.”

Jim Wright, of Parkersburg, had a lot of family at the derby. His grandson Cameron Wright caught a trout that was 4 3/8 inches, but he did not qualify for a trophy this year.

“Two years ago I got a trophy for third and my sister got one for first,” Cameron said.

Wright said the derby is a family affair. As of 11 a.m. he said Cameron was the only family member to record a catch.

“We’ve been here many times before,” he said.

Photo by Jeffrey Saulton Zachary Wright, left, watches as Robert Wright, right, gets ready to bait a hook held by Dianna Wright, center.

Organizers said no one managed to catch the tagged trout at either park on Saturday.

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Parkersburg Fishing Derby Results

SOUTHWOOD PARK

* Grand Champion: Chanson Rake, age 5, 15 7/8 inch trout

Photo by Jeffrey Saulton Ryder DeLong watches as Jerry Childers puts bait on a hook during the 37th annual Parkersburg Fishing Derby at the City Park Pond on Saturday.

* Largest Non-Trout: Halle Lucas, age 6, 5 1/4 inch sunfish

* Smallest Fish: Remi Walker, age 13, 2 1/8 inch bluegill

3-6 year olds

* First: Cameron Hurst, 15 7/8 inch, trout

* Second: Kaylee Wright, 15 3/4 inch trout

* Third: Caylee Pratt, 15 1/4 inch trout

7-10 year olds

* First: Robert Dillon, 15 1/2 inch trout

* Second: Kole Dillon, 15 1/8 inch trout

* Third: Janson Karcher, 15 inch trout

11-14 year olds

* First: Kyrah Pratt, 15 3/8 inch trout

* Second: Michael Hutson, 15 1/4 inch trout

* Third: Kyle Grant, 14 1/2 inch trout

CITY PARK

* Grand champion: Raelyn Phillips, age 7, 16 7/8 inch trout

* Largest non trout: Jonathan Muncy, age 12, 12 3/8 inch carp

* Smallest fish: McKayla McCoy, age 6, 3 inch sunfish

3-6 year olds

* First: Aiden Fought, 15 3/4 inch trout

* Second: Alexa Keich, 15 5/8 inch trout

* Third: Noah Succao, 14 1/2 inch trout

7-10 year olds

* First: Taylor Burge, 16 1/8 inch trout

* Second: Hunter Fornash, 15 1/4 inch trout

* Third: Landon Doak, 15/3/8 inch trout

11-14 year olds

* First: Carley Holbert, 15 1/2 inch trout

* Second: Alyssa Pickel, 15 3/8 inch trout

* Third: Lakin McLauglin, 15 inch trout

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