The sun was shining brightly over the calm waters of Black Lake, as young anglers gathered at the shore, eager to test their skills and reel in the day’s catch. The 31st annual Black Lake Fishing Derby had officially kicked off, and the excitement was palpable. At the forefront of the action was Itayana Garcia, a 5-year-old fishing prodigy from Seaview. With a fierce determination in her eyes, Garcia hoisted the metal stringer with both hands, her five hefty rainbow trout dangled from her waist to the bottom of her rubber boots. Her biggest catch of the day weighed in at an impressive 2.35 pounds, securing her a respectable second-place finish in the 0-6 age group. But Garcia was far from the only young angler making waves. Eight-year-old Oscar Reyes from Long Beach had caught the grand prize-winning fish, a chunky 3.6-pound rainbow trout. Reyes was beaming with pride as he recounted his incredible catch, stating that it was the biggest trout he had ever landed. “I was fishing with my dad, and we were using sweet corn and earthworms as bait,” he explained. “But it was the Berkley Powerbait that really made the difference. It was like magic!”
Reyes’ impressive catch was not the only standout of the day. Twelve-year-old Halee Woodby from Long Beach took top honors in the 11-14 age group, landing a 2.75-pound trout. Woodby’s family had joined her on a small skiff, and she credited her success to the guidance of her parents and the expert advice of the fishing guides. The day’s conditions were ideal for fishing, with temperatures in the low 50s and a gentle breeze blowing across the lake. Fishers found success, especially early in the morning, with sweet corn and earthworms being top choices. However, the real game-changer was the dough-like synthetic Berkley Powerbait, which more than one grand-prize winner attributed to their success. One such winner was Jackson Ostgaard, a 6-year-old from Long Beach who pulled in a 3.2-pound rainbow trout on his very first cast. Ostgaard’s excitement was palpable as he recounted his experience, stating that the yellow/orange Powerbait had been the key to landing the fish. “It was really hard to reel in,” he admitted. “But I was determined to catch a big one!”
The derby also saw the participation of some talented young anglers from further afield. The Franey sisters, Addi, Daylah, and Havynn, made the trip from Westport, each catching fish but with Havynn, the youngest sister, landing the biggest of them all – a 2.5-pound rainbow. Havynn’s elation was evident as she exclaimed, “And it’s my first trout! I never caught a trout before!”
The derby was made possible by the efforts of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), which had planted hundreds of trout in Black Lake leading up to the event. The WDFW also provided over 150 fishing rods for the event, courtesy of Klineline Kids Fishing, a Salmon Creek-based nonprofit dedicated to teaching children the fundamentals of fishing. The competition was fierce, with the top three aggregate winners each receiving the grand prize, plus a local charter fishing trip. The winners were:
- 0-6 age group: Jackson Ostgaard, 3.2-pound trout
- 7-10 age group: Oscar Reyes, 3.6-pound trout
- 11-14 age group: Halee Woodby, 2.75-pound trout (tiebreaker decided by length)
The event was a resounding success, with all participants going home with a prize and a newfound appreciation for the joys of fishing. As one angler exclaimed, “Fishing is an amazing experience that can bring people together and create lifelong memories.”
The 31st annual Black Lake Fishing Derby was a testament to the power of fishing to inspire and educate young people. By providing a fun and competitive environment, the event encouraged kids to develop a passion for the sport and appreciate the importance of conservation and sustainability. As one participant noted, “Fishing is not just about catching fish – it’s about being out in nature, enjoying the fresh air, and learning about the world around us.”
The future of fishing looks bright, thanks to events like the Black Lake Fishing Derby. As one young angler put it, “Fishing is an adventure that will take me to places I never thought I’d go, and I’m excited to see where it takes me.”
Winners and Their Stories
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- 0-6 age group: Jackson Ostgaard, 3.2-pound trout
- 7-10 age group: Oscar Reyes, 3.6-pound trout
- 11-14 age group: Halee Woodby, 2.75-pound trout (tiebreaker decided by length)
The winners of the 31st annual Black Lake Fishing Derby shared their stories of triumph and excitement. From the thrill of reeling in a big catch to the sense of pride and accomplishment, their experiences were a testament to the joy and camaraderie of fishing.
derby statistics
| Age Group | Grand Prize Winner | Runner-up | Second Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-6 | Jackson Ostgaard, 3.2-pound trout | Adain Peterson, 3.2-pound trout | Itayana Garcia, 2.35-pound trout |
| 7-10 | Oscar Reyes, 3.6-pound trout | Jordan Cox, 2.95-pound trout | Waylin Oatfield, 2.80-pound trout |
| 11-14 | Halee Woodby, 2.75-pound trout (tiebreaker decided by length) | Peyton Haskin, 2.75-pound trout | Justin Johnson, 2.65-pound trout |
The statistics from the 31st annual Black Lake Fishing Derby provided a glimpse into the competition and the winners. From the grand prize winners to the runners-up, each angler had a story to tell and a memory to cherish.
A Look Back at the Derby
The 31st annual Black Lake Fishing Derby was a resounding success, with all participants going home with a prize and a newfound appreciation for the joys of fishing. The event was made possible by the efforts of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), which had planted hundreds of trout in Black Lake leading up to the event. The derby was a testament to the power of fishing to inspire and educate young people. By providing a fun and competitive environment, the event encouraged kids to develop a passion for the sport and appreciate the importance of conservation and sustainability. As one participant noted, “Fishing is not just about catching fish – it’s about being out in nature, enjoying the fresh air, and learning about the world around us.” The future of fishing looks bright, thanks to events like the Black Lake Fishing Derby.
What’s Next for the Black Lake Fishing Derby?
The 31st annual Black Lake Fishing Derby was a huge success, and the organizers are already looking forward to the next event. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has announced plans to host the 32nd annual Black Lake Fishing Derby in the near future. The WDFW is committed to making the event even bigger and better, with new and exciting features and attractions. The organizers are also looking for volunteers to help make the event a success. As one participant noted, “Fishing is an adventure that will take me to places I never thought I’d go, and I’m excited to see where it takes me.” The future of fishing looks bright, and the Black Lake Fishing Derby is at the forefront of it all.
A Message from the WDFW
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) would like to extend its gratitude to all participants, volunteers, and sponsors who made the 31st annual Black Lake Fishing Derby a success. The WDFW is committed to conservation and sustainability, and events like the Black Lake Fishing Derby are an important part of this effort. By promoting fishing as a fun and accessible sport, the WDFW hopes to inspire and educate young people about the importance of conservation and sustainability. The WDFW would also like to thank Klineline Kids Fishing for their generous donation of over 150 fishing rods and reels. The WDFW is grateful for the support of local businesses and organizations that help make events like the Black Lake Fishing Derby possible. The WDFW is proud to be a part of the fishing community and is committed to working with partners to promote the sport and protect the environment.
A Special Message from the Franey Sisters
The Franey sisters, Addi, Daylah, and Havynn, would like to thank everyone who supported them and made their experience at the 31st annual Black Lake Fishing Derby a memorable one. The sisters would like to extend their gratitude to their parents for their support and encouragement. They would also like to thank the organizers and volunteers for their hard work and dedication. The Franey sisters would like to share their experience with others, encouraging young girls to get involved in fishing and to pursue their passions. As Havynn said, “And it’s my first trout! I never caught a trout before!” The Franey sisters are proud to be role models for young girls and hope to inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
Conclusion
The 31st annual Black Lake Fishing Derby was a resounding success, with all participants going home with a prize and a newfound appreciation for the joys of fishing. The event was made possible by the efforts of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), which had planted hundreds of trout in Black Lake leading up to the event. The derby was a testament to the power of fishing to inspire and educate young people. By providing a fun and competitive environment, the event encouraged kids to develop a passion for the sport and appreciate the importance of conservation and sustainability. As one participant noted, “Fishing is an adventure that will take me to places I never thought I’d go, and I’m excited to see where it takes me.” The future of fishing looks bright, thanks to events like the Black Lake Fishing Derby. The organizers are already looking forward to the next event, and the WDFW is committed to making it even bigger and better. The Franey sisters are proud to be role models for young girls and hope to inspire others to follow in their footsteps. Fishing is a sport that has the power to bring people together and create lifelong memories. The 31st annual Black Lake Fishing Derby was a testament to this, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for this exciting sport.
