Blackwater NWR's 7th Annual Youth Fishing Derby was a great success again with 98 youths registering to fish at Hog Range Pond. Each registered youth received a bag of free gifts including a ticket for a free hot dog, chips, and soda, t-shirt, and a door prize ticket drawn every half hour. After several days of rain, the weather was perfect for fishing. However, the event was extended a half hour to end at 12:30pm to allow more time for those who arrived after late because everyone had to be shuttled to the site. All the rain caused the parking areas to be too wet to park in the usual parking areas. Undaunted, the kids came prepared to fish. And fish they did. The young anglers caught 233 fish and one painted turtle.

Biggest Catfish

Biggest Sunfish

Most Fish of the Day

Most Unusual or Other Fish

Biggest Fish of the Day

Winners of the door prizes included: Morgan Esham, Brycen Coleman, Hunter Esham, Madison Schulyer, Sarah Xenides, and Joshua Matthews.

Photo from Fishing Derby

Several youngsters brought their frogs or toads for Blackwater's 8th Annual Frog Jumping competition. The frog jumping contest had 11 frogs and toads entered in the competition. The amphibians battled it out in 3 elimination rounds. First place went to Tyler Edgar from Cambridge, second place to Angel Lednum from Cambridge, and third place to Christopher Robinson from Wingate. Winners from the last three years have been Robinson's from Wingate. Looks like Cambridge won out this year.

A free t-shirt and bag of chips were provided by the Friends of Blackwater for each youth registered. A free soda was provided by the Pepsi Cola Company. All the bait was donated by the Cambridge Wal-Mart. Prizes were donated by Shore Sportsman and Bass Pro. The Coast Guard provided coloring books, stickers, and other unique items as well as information on boating safety. Some of the unique items were used as prizes for the rain gutter sailboat regatta set up for kids to participate in when they needed a break from fishing. Don Reise, Bob Gormley, Mac MacDonald, Gordy Jones, Phil Bye, Jack Scanlon, and Jim Kubista from the Grand National Waterfowl Hunt Association joined Blackwater staff and Volunteers in assisting the young fisherman to bait, cast, and take their fish off the hook; record fish caught, and straighten fishing line or reels that needed fixing. Church Creek Fire Company was on hand to handle any heath issues. Another partner, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries, stocked the pond prior to the event and provided MD Fishing Regulations and fish measuring rulers.

Blackwater NWR wishes to thank all the people who assisted with our 7th Annual Youth Fishing Derby. The kids had a fun day, and so did everyone else!!