The Blowing Rock Trout Derby at Broyhill Park brought out lots of young anglers to celebrate 40 years of trout season’s opening day in Blowing Rock.
The North Carolina Wildlife Commission supported the Trout Derby with free “Fish for Fun” bags that included a tackle box, regulation book, bumper sticker, stringer and bobber. There were also free Trout Derby T-shirts given out during the event. According to Kim Rogers, 101 fish were registered in the 5 categories and they gave out 180 t-shirts and over 100 fishing for fun bags from the NC wildlife commission.
“We couldn’t have asked for a prettier spring day for this year’s Trout Derby. Here in town, Broyhill Lake stayed busy with Derby participants fishing and learning how to fly fish with Morgan,” said Amanda Lugenbell, the assistant director of the Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority. “We hope all the new participants felt as welcome as our seasoned locals. Introducing kids to fishing fun is what the Trout Derby is all about!”
Caleb Schwartz, who took first place in the 11-and-under division, made the trip up from Granite Falls with his family and had never participated in the event before.
Event sponsors included the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Division of Inland Fisheries, Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, Hollars Construction, Jenkins Realtors, M Prints, Inc., Bolick & Traditions Pottery, Chetola Resort, Blowing Rock Tire & Auto, Mike Calhoun’s Bass Club, High Country Chapter of Hunters Helping Kids, 4 Forty Four, Jim Allen Home Solutions, Snake Mountain Iron Works and A-1 Termite & Pest Control.
Trophy sponsors included Labonte Plumbing Inc., Mountaineer Maintenance, Inc., First Citizens Bank an Food Lion of Blowing Rock.
1st Fish: Molly Graham
Time: 7:08am
Largest Trout by Species:
Brook: Oscar Lombardozzi Where: 17.5 ” Broyhill Lake
Brown: Clay Presnell Where: 13.5” Price Lake
Rainbow: Gene Hodges Where: 24.75 “ Watauga River near
Elk
Small Fry: Ages 11 & Under
1st:_ Caleb Swartz Trophy by: Food Lion of BR
2nd: Mary Fran Petrey
3rd: Jimmy Doherty
Girls Division: Ages 12 to 16
1st: Kinsey Stevens Trophy by: Mountaineer Maintenance
1st Kimberly Brown
2nd: Molly Graham
3rd: Kathryn Presnell
Boys Division: Ages 12 to 16
1st: Clay Presnell Trophy by: Snake Mountain Iron Works
2nd: Matthew Peine
3rd: Ian Simmons
Women’s Division:
1st: Janie Dancy Trophy by: Labonte Plumbing
2nd: Debra Klein
3rd: Robin Triplett
Men’s Division:
1st: Gene Hodges Trophy by: First Citizens Bank
2nd: Bill Pearson
3rd: Jason Reid
Smallest Fish
Damien Johnson
Tagged Fish:
5 caught
Art Contest winner: Emma Minor 2nd grade Hardin Park Elementary
Photos by Lonnie Webster
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