Ephrata Lions host fishing derby

EPHRATA - Little kids pulling big fish out of Ephrata's Ping Pond spurred some fishing stories among organizers this week.

Fishing derby committee Chairman Bill Sangster, of the Ephrata Lions Club, remembers when a little girl hooked a large fish with her child-sized Barbie fishing pool.

The girl's grandfather was helping her. At the same time, her grandmother noticed the pole was bent into a U-shape. 

She reached to grab the pole to unhook it, when it snapped, apparently releasing the fish.

Her husband was still chewing her out an hour later, Sangster recalled.

This year's derby starts at  6 a.m., Saturday, at Oasis Park on Basin Street Southwest, in the western part of town. 

The derby is free and preregistration is not required. 

Participants must bring their own poles. 

Usually 300 to 400 people attend the event, with the shores filling up at 5 a.m.. 

Age groups are: 12-14, 8-11 and 4-7. 

A variety of prizes, including fishing gear, are awarded for the largest fish in each category and an overall grand prize is presented. 

"It's been popular because of the big fish and because of Trout Lodge putting big ones in there," Sangster said. 

He estimated the event started about 35 years ago. 

The site of the event at Oasis Park, Ping Pond, was built in 1972 or 1973.

Ping Pond was named for the late Bob Ping, an Ephrata mayor, Lions Club president and "an all around good guy," Sangster said.

"We're getting kids' kids," Sangster said. 

He thanked Trout Lodge Farms and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife for providing fish for free for the event.

Many of the hatchery fish measure between 12 and 15 inches long, which he described as "pan fish." Some fish have weighed as much as 7.5 pounds and measured 28 inches long.

"We have had kids lean and fall in," he said. 

George Sisson, another Lions Club member, called the event "a great time."

"Typically we get a huge turnout and get some really nice fish from here," he said. "It is well stocked with trout."

Sisson called the event "a lot of fun."

"It really is, to see little kids with fish as big as they are," he commented.

A pancake breakfast is served at Oasis Park under the shelter, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Saturday. The meals costs $5 each for adults and $3 each for kids.

Funds from the breakfast help support the derby.

For more information, call Sangster at 509-750-4193.