CLARKS SUMMIT — After many gloomy days of rain, sunshine and a slight breeze, along with a happy medium temperature, made it a comfortable Saturday (June 8) to be outdoors. Fortunately, kids and parents made the most of the weather by fishing at Hillside Park during the Forever Young Fishing Derby. The annual event is organized by Linda Young, who is assisted by numerous volunteers and sponsors who cook food and donate prizes for raffle baskets, in honor of Linda’s late husband Lawrence “Bud” Young.

The James family, of Clarks Summit, including Sam, 10, Andy, 7, and Gracelyn, 5, participated in the derby. They regularly fish at the Eston Wilson Lake but normally spend Saturdays playing baseball at the park, so it was their first time at the derby.

“I just wanna be here to have fun,” said Gracelyn.

Her brother Sam caught a six-and-a-half-inch bluegill.

Seven-year-old Drew Malone, of Clarks Summit, fished at the derby with his father, brothers and sister. He caught two fish, first snagging an 11-inch trout and then a 10-inch catfish.

“It’s good,” he said about the derby.

Drew’s brother Dane, also 7, caught a foot-long, rainbow trout. Drew and Dane competed in a fishing derby at Newton Ransom Elementary School, in which Dane won second prize.

Kevin Gress, of Dunmore, and his wife Karen accompanied their 13-year-old nephew and 8-year-old niece Connor and Emma Watkins, of Clarks Summit, along with their parents. They helped Emma reel in a 9-to-10-inch bullhead catfish. Connor won two trophies and a bike in the 2016 Forever Young Fishing Derby. The whole family always enjoys attending this event.

“It’s wonderful,” Karen said. “Every year, we’ve been coming for six to seven years, at least. It’s great for the community.”

Brendan Zwick, of Clarks Summit, fished for the first time ever with his friend Alyssa Wigley, age 12, of Clarks Green, who has been coming to the derby for a couple of years.

The special “Bud Young Award” was given to the kid who caught the fish closest to 13 inches, in honor of Bud whose favorite number was 13. This award was presented to Aiden Vanluvender, of Old Forge, for his catch of a 12-and-a-half-inch rainbow trout. He also got to take home a big-screen TV.

“I like to fish,” Aiden said. “I didn’t come to win anything.”

Eleven-year-old Austin Burke, of Scranton, won first place for the largest fish in his age group 10-12, catching a 12-and-a-half-inch rainbow trout.

“This is my first time here,” he said. “My friend took me here.”

Gracelyn, 5, Sam, 10, and Andy, 7, James, of Clarks Summit, fish near the memory garden.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_20190608_104042.jpg.optimal.jpgGracelyn, 5, Sam, 10, and Andy, 7, James, of Clarks Summit, fish near the memory garden. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Drew Malone, 7, of Clarks Summit, with his second catch, a 10-inch catfish. Prior to that, he caught an 11-inch trout.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_20190608_105901-1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgDrew Malone, 7, of Clarks Summit, with his second catch, a 10-inch catfish. Prior to that, he caught an 11-inch trout. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Andrew Diaz, 11, of Clarks Green, reels in a frog – the catch of the day.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_20190608_110749.jpg.optimal.jpgAndrew Diaz, 11, of Clarks Green, reels in a frog – the catch of the day. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Kevin Gress, left, of Dunmore, and his wife Karen help their niece Emma Watkins, 8, of Clarks Summit, reel in a bullhead catfish.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_20190608_111831-1-.jpg.optimal.jpgKevin Gress, left, of Dunmore, and his wife Karen help their niece Emma Watkins, 8, of Clarks Summit, reel in a bullhead catfish. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Brendan Zwick, 7, of Clarks Summit, fishes for the first time ever. He is pictured with Alyssa Wigley, 12, of Clarks Green.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_20190608_113209.jpg.optimal.jpgBrendan Zwick, 7, of Clarks Summit, fishes for the first time ever. He is pictured with Alyssa Wigley, 12, of Clarks Green. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Clare, front, 2, and her sister Caitlyn, 4, Walega, of Carbondale Twp., fish together using brightly colored poles.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_20190608_114325-1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgClare, front, 2, and her sister Caitlyn, 4, Walega, of Carbondale Twp., fish together using brightly colored poles. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal

Linda Young, organizer of the fishing derby, with Aiden Vanluvender, 13, of Old Forge, who won the Bud Young Award, an award in memory of Linda’s late husband. Aiden won it for catching a 12 1/2 inch rainbow trout, the closest to 13 inches.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/web1_20190608_122009.jpg.optimal.jpgLinda Young, organizer of the fishing derby, with Aiden Vanluvender, 13, of Old Forge, who won the Bud Young Award, an award in memory of Linda’s late husband. Aiden won it for catching a 12 1/2 inch rainbow trout, the closest to 13 inches. Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Kids’ event honors memory of Lawrence ‘Bud’ Young

By Ben Freda

For Abington Journal

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