Kids Fishing Derbing A Reelin' Good Time! 2012

 Largest Turnout Ever!

     Over one hundred fifteen kids attended this years annual kids fishing derby at Backbone State Park hosted by the Backbone Lake Friends Group and the Clayton County Conservation Board.  From 1:00-3:30 the contestants motored around small pond learning about reptiles and amphibians, then to a casting contest, and Live fish demonstration by the Iowa Fisheries of Manchester.

     With worms, poles, and lawn chairs the fishing derby began at precisely 2:00 pm and by 2:15 the first fish was caught!  At 3:00 p.m. the fishing event results of the derby were tallied and Backbone Lake Friends Chairman Ed Gibbs announced the following winners of the 2012 Kids Fishing Derby.  Kids waited anxiously to hear their names called as the winner.  Fishing Poles, bait boxes, tackle boxes, and many other prizes were donated to make the event a memorable one for kids ages 4 – 16.

		Ages 4-9	Ages 10-16
Most Fish Caught		Wyatt Rowcliffe	Landon Thomas
Biggest Fish Caught Grand Prize		Paul Summer  15 “ Sucker Fish	Brianna McDonald 10” Crappy
Casting Contest		Riley Gerhardt	Chloe Roland

     
      The Backbone Lake Friends Group and the Clayton County Conservation Board would like to thank the following sponsors and helpers of making this year’s fishing derby a fun day for kids. Donations were give by: Clayton County Supervisor Larry Gibbs for providing bait, Representative Roger Thomas, IDNR Manchester Fisheries, Dundee Ambulance Service, D & S Portables, Nading’s Service & Sporting Goods, Northeast Iowa Bass Anglers, Murray's Outdoor Store Guttenberg, Bob Meyer Repair, Wolfey's in Dundee, Del Timmerman Concrete Construction, Quality Accounting & Tax Services, Meyer Properties, Brenda “Cookie” Wiskus, Citizens State Bank, Strawberry Food and Deli,  Farmers Savings Bank, Wal-Mart in Manchester, Sam’s Club in Cedar Rapids, Wal-Mart in Independence, Julie Drinkwater, Tyson's Dyersville, Pamida Dyersville and the help of volunteers Abbey Harberichter, IDNR Dave Sunne, Dennis Meggers, Ed Gibbs, Velda Meyen, Don & Grace Gibbs, Katie Bockenstedt, Carrie Weaver, Darla Kelchen, Rick Robinson, and Roger Helmrichs.

     IA Free Fishing Weekend is the 1^st weekend in June and promoted by the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources.  It was a fun day to capture the smiles and excitement of over 115 children as they enjoyed fishing.  We look forward to seeing you again next year.