Q-Tip: Kids' Fishing Derby

One of this area's most enjoyable outdoor events is right around the corner.

It's the 11th annual Kid's Fishing Derby.

That huge event will be held at Lampe Creek in Lampe Park in Gardnerville on June 3-4.

It is sponsored by the Kids' Fishing Derby, Inc., the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lahontan Fish Hatchery, the Nevada Division of Wildlife (NDOW) and the Douglas County Parks and Recreation Dept.

If you have children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces or whomever (ages 3-12), be sure to read the rest of this week's "Q-Tip".

Registrations are now being accepted for the derby, which bills itself as one of the largest, free derbies of its kind in the Western United States.

There is no registration charge.

There is no charge to attend.

During the course of the two-day event, a total of 2,400 tiny anglers will have the opportunity to each catch and keep a limit of two rainbow trout.

A total of some 6,000 trout are provided by the Lahontan Fish Hatchery and NDOW.

In past years, the Lahontan Fish Hatchery has also provided a number of huge trout weighing up to about eight pounds. That is correct: eight pounds!

The youngsters are limited to not more than 400 signed up for each of six different fishing periods on those two days.

Those six time periods are 9-10 a.m., 11-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3 p.m. on Saturday and then the same periods on Sunday.

Registration is strictly on a first-come, first-served basis for each of those six time periods.

The registration period will close as soon as 2,400 youngsters have been pre-registered.

Registration forms are available in Carson City at the Sierra Fly Shoppe at 200 W. John St. (841-FISH) or at Aspen Outdoors at 3579 Highway 50 East (884-1464).

Registration forms are also available in Douglas County at the Douglas County Parks and Recreation Department at 1327 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville (782-9828).

The Kid's Fishing Derby chairperson this year is Kim McQueary and she is asking for additional volunteers who are needed to assist with the derby.

Volunteers are needed for such tasks as checking in the anglers, providing poles and reels, baiting hooks, helping to cast, netting fish, untangling snarls and snags, cleaning fish, manning the prize table, cooking hamburgers, etc. You can sign up to help on either Saturday, Sunday or both days.

Be sure to register your youngsters as soon as possible.

For information, call the Douglas County Parks and Recreation Dept. at 782-9828 during regular business hours or Kim McQueary at 267-5085 or Carolyn Kilpatrick at 883-0792.