June 28, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 222

For more information, contact Carol Gondeck, Fish and Wildlife, 302-739-9913, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife announces results from 24th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament  

Bright sunshine and steamy temperatures greeted 259 young anglers and their families who gathered at three Delaware ponds for the 24^th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament on June 12. All of the fish caught in the tournament were weighed and released.

When the day was done, 9-year-old Ben Newlin of Milford came out as overall statewide winner, as well as the Kent County winner, with fish weighing in at a total of 4.27 pounds.

The New Castle County location, Lums Pond in Bear, drew 135 children and teens casting lines, while at Kent County’s Wyoming Pond, 72 youngsters turned out. Sussex County reeled in 52 young anglers at Ingrams Pond in Millsboro.

The New Castle County overall winner was 12-year-old Ryan Stetser of New Castle with 3.49 pounds of fish. Upstate anglers also claimed the title of biggest fish and biggest turtle of the day. Aaron Dailey, third place winner in the age 8-11 category, caught the biggest fish of the day, a largemouth bass weighing 1.58 pounds. Brianna Berger, age 11 of Townsend, caught a turtle weighing 6.46 pounds.

Other New Castle County winners, by age group and total weight of fish caught, were:

Ages 4 to 7

            First place – Justin Molen, age 6, of Newark, 2.38 pounds

            Second place – J.R. Kindbeiter, age 7, of Wilmington, 1.37 pounds

            Third place – Karl Schulz, age 7, of Newark, 1.18 pounds

Ages 8 to 11

            First place – Laurel Hossler, age 10, of Smyrna, 3.29 pounds

            Second place – Carter Wilkins, age 8, of Bear, 2.34 pounds

            Third place – Aaron Dailey, age 10, of Newark, 2.27 pounds

Ages 12 to 15

            First place – Megan Sellers, age 12, of Bear, 1.43 pounds

            Second place – Shane Barrett, age 12, of Newark, 1.35 pounds

            Third place – Alexis Carter, age 13, of New Castle, 0.94 pounds

In addition to Ben Newlin, the other Kent County winners, by age group and total weight of fish caught, were:

Ages 4 to 7

            First place – Ethan Ramisch, age 6, of Dover, 1.2 pounds

            Second place (TIE) – Dominic Garcia, age 5, of Smyrna, 0.52 pounds

                                    Ethan Wong, age 6, of Frederica, 0.52 pounds

            Third place – Hunter Gondeck, age 7, of Dover, 0.47 pounds

Ages 8 to 11

            First place – Kevin Turner, age 8, of Felton, 2.69 pounds

            Second place – Steven Swan, age 10, of Dover, 1.19 pounds

            Third place – Hallie Walsh, age 11, of Dover, 1.11 pounds

Ages 12 to 15

            First place – Ronald Degano, age 13, of Magnolia, 1.81 pounds

            Second place – James Miller, age 13, of Dover, 0.53 pounds

            Third place – Robert Hoover, age 13, of Dover, 0.41 pounds

At Ingrams Pond, 11-year-old Will Geppert of Rehoboth Beach took the title of overall Sussex County winner with 2.14 pounds of fish caught. The biggest fish of the day was a bass weighing 0.97 pounds and caught by 6-year-old Tom Phillips of Frankford, who also won first place in his age group. Other Sussex winners, by age group and total weight of fish caught, were: 

Ages 4 to 7

            First place – Tom Phillips, age 6, of Frankford, 1.74 pounds

            Second place – Jessica Ballard, age 6, of Millsboro, 1.54 pounds

            Third place – Jordan Swithenbank, age 4, of Georgetown, 0.69 pounds

Ages 8 to 11

            First place – Hunter Lied, age 11, of Millsboro, 1.32 pounds

            Second place – Katie Phillips, age 11, of Frankford, 0.64 pounds

            Third place – Sean Lasher, age 8, of Georgetown, 0.63 pounds

Ages 12 to 15

            First place – Tyler Culver, age 15, of Dagsboro, 1.66 pounds

            Second place – Chelsea Wootten, age 15, of Georgetown, 1.04 pounds

            Third place – Adam Harkness, age 12, of Millsboro, 1.03 pounds

The winners received fishing poles and tackle boxes as well as trophies, and all the participants received prizes. County winners will be presented with their trophies at the DNREC Awards ceremony on Governors Day, Thursday, July 29 at the 2010 Delaware State Fair in Harrington.    

The Youth Fishing Tournament was established to introduce youth to the sport of fishing and to teach the catch-and-release approach to conservation. The free tournament, held annually in June, is open to youth ages 4 to 15.

For more information on the Youth Fishing Tournament, please call 302-739-9913 or visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Info/YouthFishing.htm.