Columbia Basin Fishing derby is Saturday

MOSES LAKE - If you have kids ages 5 to 14, and are seeking a free family event, check out the Moses Lake Irrigation & Rehabilitation District's fishing derby Saturday.

The event is held at Connelly Park, located off state Route 17 west of Moses Lake. 

Children must bring their own fishing poles and gear. 

Bait, hot dogs and soft drinks are provided. 

Participants are assigned to fish at certain times, with the first group to fish at 8 a.m. and the second group to start at 9:30 a.m.

If kids are not preregistered, they can register at the event, said Ron Covey, the district's board president. 

Registration wasn't filled by preregistered participants as of Monday.

If the district has to extend the hours to accommodate an influx of participants, it will do so, he said.

Covey said the district anticipates a larger crowd than last year.

He stressed how the derby is different than the City of Moses Lake's derby because of the teaching and education provided.

Dave Graybill, a fisherman and outdoor writer, gives a fishing presentation.

Volunteers are also at the event helping teach kids about fishing, the different parts of the fishing pole, how to hook bait and how to fish.

"There's a teaching and education process, along with the actual derby itself," Covey commented.

Prizes are provided for winners in different categories including the largest fish.

Instead of kids just being given fishing poles, they bring their own and are taught how to use them properly.

"It's a great experience for kids and gets them involved with fishing," Covey said. 

The district purchased some trout for the event, with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife's hatchery donating the remainder. 

The project is funded through the irrigation district, Pepsi and numerous businesses, he said. 

"It is a community event that is sponsored by a lot of businesses," Covey explained.

For more information, call 509-765-8716.