Kids Fishing Derby

The Bassmasters in conjunction with the Lake County Big Brothers and Big Sisters annually sponsor a KIDS FISHING DERBY. The event is usually held in July at Lakeside County Park in Kelseyville, California. The club provides ten bass boats with guides and helpers along with tackle, supplies and bait for a days fishing.

Any child can weigh in one fish of any of the legal five species found in Clear Lake; Catches tend to include lots of Black Bass, Blue Gill, Catfish and Crappie. All fish are weighed and released.

A bar-b-que lunch is provided by the Big Brothers and Big Sisters for the club members and the 20 kids they bring to the event. Following the lunch an awards presentation is held. Each child is given a rod and reel and tackle pack by the Clearlake Bassmasters. Special awards are also given to the children for the largest fish of each variety.

This event held annually since 1989 is the favorite event for the kids in the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program. It is a joy to see these children's reactions to their first boat ride, a new rod and reel and and catching a fish, maybe even their first fish!

Club members who participate take great satisfaction from the event and appreciate the opportunity to return something to the sport.

The event is free to all kids. Financial donations are made by the club; while Steve Kelly (S&K Automotive) donates the rods and reels. The clubs kicks in on the tackle packs and Ron Sneed of Maverick baits and Ed Clark from Tackle-it tackle store have been generous donors of fishing tackle for the kids.

For more information or to help out, call
John Graham at (707) 263-7277