The young anglers cast their line into the creek at Dalton Streamside Park as the Fishing Derby gets under way.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
Norah Dimichele, 9. reels in her line during the Fishing Derby at Dalton Streamside Park.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
Patrick Harrington, 7, stands on a rock for a better casting spot during the Childrens Fishing Derby at Streamside Park in Dalton.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
MIchael Evans, 12, waits for a nibble during the Childrens Fishing Derby at Streamside Park in Dalton.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
Isabella Wolfe, 12, casts out into the creek during the Childrens Fishing Derby at Stream Side Park in Dalton.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
A young anglers fishing gear poles tackle box bait — corn and marshmallows.
Fred Adams | For Abington Journal
DALTON — Over a hundred families hit the water on a recent Saturday for the 17th annual fishing derby at the Streamside Park in Dalton.
This year the event was held in honor of JoeMcGrath Sr., who founded the event in order to provide a chance for youngsters to get out and fish.
A poster displaying photos of the beloved family patriarch known to those who loved him as “Joe Bob,” was displaced front and center near the registration area, and sons Joe McGrath Jr. and Jimmy were volunteering their time to ensure that it would run smoothly.
The men said their father would be extremely happy that the event was continuing.
Nearly a decade-long battle with cancer couldn’t keep Joe McGrath Sr. from volunteering for the event every year.
Jimmy McGrath said the event had been held behind the fire station for the first few years before it was moved to its current location. He said it started with only a few children and has grown through the years.
The last year it was held, 92 fish were caught, he said.
Participants are a nearly even mix between boys and girls.
Often, the sons said, a tiny four-year-old girl in a pink hat will reel in a 20 incher.
Prizes are awarded for every age group.
Michael Gianetta looked on as his children Trisha, 4, and Michael Jr., 11, fished on the stream next to dozens of other youngsters.
His father Charles, 87, sat streamside watching as the next generation took to the stream.
Both men remember childhoods filled with many hours of each day spent outdoors.
For them, learning to fish was a right of passage and days were spent outside, rather than behind a computer screen.
Trisha picked out a pink Barbie fishing rod, fearlessly making her way onto the rocks for the best chance to hook a trout.
Parents could cast a line out into the water for young participants, but the youngsters were required to reel in the catch themselves.
They would then head on over to the main table for organizers to measure their fish.
Joe and Debbie Evans were at the event with their sons Max, 5, and Michael, 12.
One of the day’s first catches was a 18-and-a-half inch trout, which the family immediately put in a net to be measured.
The family would be bringing home the fish for a Sunday meal, they said.
The family has been participating in the event for nearly a decade, and it has become tradition, Joe Evans said.
