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.”