Spring Lake hosts 21st annual children's fishing derby

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Belleville — Eighty three children ages 12 and younger competed June 13 in the Spring Lake Children's Fishing Derby sponsored by U.S. Forest Service and Yell County Wildlife Federation.

Seventy four kids caught fish during the derby. The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission stocked the netted-off cove with 400 pounds channel catfish and 177 pounds were caught. The heaviest single fish was a three-way tie won by a straw pull by Jarrett Wilkins. Braden Bland caught the smallest fish. The first fish caught was by Lankin Rhodes of Ola. Carley Wilkins caught the tagged fish, winning a bicycle.

The Yell County Dive Team secured the net to bottom of the cove preventing stocked fish from escaping, and the Arkansas Forestry Commission staff cleaned 100 fish for the kids. The Wildlife Federation served all a hot dog lunch.

Winners in age groups were:

Ages 4 and younger: Olivia Craig of Havana, first; Mary Lane of Havana, second; and Zoey Watkins of Danville, third

Ages 5-8: Braden Bland of Belleville, first; Lawson Wilkins of Danville, second; and Devon Mitchell of Danville, third

Ages 9-12: Thomas Walker of Belleville, first; Mary Walker of Belleville, second; no third place winner

Casting contest winners: Elijah Reece, age 4 and younger; Braden Bland, age 5-8; and Ian Rogers age 9-12.

River Valley Ozark, Pages 142 on 06/21/2009