Fishing derby draws 150 kids
Eva Larsen and her dad Jon, of Moses Lake, troll the waters of the lake for a few fish during the fishing derby sponsored by the MLIRD Saturday.
MOSES LAKE - Despite windy conditions that kicked waves over the beaches at the edge of Connelly Park, the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District's fishing derby drew about 150 children Saturday.
Entrants were split into two sessions, with prizes for the winners in each session, according to Beth Yonko, a district employee.
Clowy McCarrell caught a fish weighing 2 pounds, 12 ounces to win the first session. She edged out Cadence Simonson, whose fish weighed 2 pounds, 11.5 ounces. Hadyen Longmire finished third, with a fish weighing 2 pounds, 4 ounces.
Results for the second session were not available.
Even with the windy conditions kids caught a lot of fish, "and some big ones," Yonko said. The fishing derby offered a number of exhibits and activities as well, with fishing safety lessons from Grant County Fire District No. 5 and the marine patrol of the Grant County Sheriff's Office.
The MLIRD sponsored a fish-related art project "so they can take a fish home with them. Nobody leaves empty-handed," Yonko said. Children could enter a drawing for a prize-filled egg.
The MLIRD received help from a number of community volunteers, and sponsorship help from Pepsi dealer Weinstein Beverage, of Wenatchee, and Dave Graybeal, the "Fishin' Magician."