Bam, Bam, Bam! Just like that three kids reeled in 21, 27 and 28-inch trout in the first 15 minutes of Trout Unlimited Chapter 722’s 21st annual Kids’ Fishing Derby at JFK Park.
Kids and parents watched in amazement as a trout hatchery truck unloaded thousands of trout, including nearly 100 whoppers into the Little Red River at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.
The rest of the morning saw kids reeling in both brown and rainbow trout by the dozen.
Sam Lester, who has helped with the derby since its induction in 1988, said the growth is incredible. “The first year we had about 25 kids and we [Trout Unlimited] gave away about 100 poles. Today, we will give away around $2,000 worth of poles. This is the proof in the pudding that our community cares. All the local businesses chipped in, it’s a community effort. One person couldn’t make this happen.”
Lester estimated 150 kids were present for the 21st derby.
Andrew Skinner of Heber Springs caught the biggest fish (28-inches) of the early morning, a fish he was eager to mount but let go back into the stream once convinced he could still get a replica from a picture.
Folks from Jonesboro to Russellville and many places in between came out to enjoy the fun.