NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
June 12, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 281
For more information, contact Carol Weyant, Fish and Wildlife, 302-739-9913, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902. PHOTOS AVAILABLE.
Division of Fish and Wildlife Announces Kent County Results
from 22nd Annual Youth Fishing Tournament
The first big heat wave of summer 2008 did not seem to dampen the spirits of the young anglers and their families who turned out for the 22nd Annual Youth Fishing Tournament, held June 7 at three locations in Delaware.
At the Kent County location, Wyoming Pond in Wyoming’s Town Park, 48 children took up their poles. The day’s excitement included the first fish of the day, a bluegill caught by Jordan McNatt, age 6, of Dover; the biggest fish of the day, a largemouth bass weighing just under 3 pounds caught by 14-year-old Joseph Zach; and – although the creature did not count as a fish - a 4.5-pound red-eared slider turtle caught by Nicholas Hennen, age 11, of Felton.
The smallest fish, a bluegill weighing just 10 grams, was caught by 6-year-old Kevin Turner, who was last year’s Kent County overall winner and took first in his age group this year. Young Kevin, who wore a big grin the whole day, also caught the most varieties of fish: bluegill, yellow perch, white perch, largemouth bass and brown bullhead.
Then there was 9-year-old Sara Deason of Harrington, who picked her spot in the sun well, catching a total of 42 fish weighing 7.35 pounds to become the 2008 overall Kent County winner.
The other winners, by age group and total weight of fish caught, were:
Ages 4 to 7
First place – Kevin Turner, age 6, of Felton, 2.35 pounds
Second place – Seth Splawn, age 6, of Magnolia, 1.66 pounds
Third place – Cody Swartzentruber, age 5, of Dover, 0.93 pounds
Ages 8 to 11
First place – Sean Swartzentruber, age 10, of Dover, 2.78 pounds
Second place – Mark Jones, age 10, of Magnolia, 1.37 pounds
Third place – Hallie Walsh, age 10, of Dover, 1.29 pounds
Ages 12 to 15
First place – Joseph Zach, age 14, of Felton, 3.65 pounds
Second place – Brandon Blakeman, age 14, of Camden, 2.20 pounds
Third place – Jesse Yoder, age 13, of Dover, 1.83 pounds
The winners received fishing poles and tackle boxes as well as trophies, and all the participants received prizes donated by area tackle shops. The county winners will be presented with their trophies at the DNREC Awards ceremony on Governors Day, Thursday, July 24 at the 2008 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.fw.delaware.gov/Info/YouthFishing.htm.
Please note, results from New Castle and Sussex counties will be released separately.
