The last fish planting for the Kids Fishing Derby was May 30, 2019. The event is back June 1-2 at Lampe Park.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
Thursday will offer a reverse preview of this weekend’s 31st Kids Fishing Derby as volunteers plant around 4,300 fish in the creek in Gardnerville’s Lampe Park.
With as many as 1,200 young anglers already signed up to participate and scores of volunteers, the event gives children 3-12 years old with a chance to catch a fish on Saturday and Sunday.
Because of the numbers of kids dropping a line, they have to be registered in advance, said organizer Marshall Wilkinson.
Registration ends 4 p.m. Friday with tickets still available at AJ’s Stoves, Accolade’s Trophies while supplies last.
Tickets may also be obtained from the Red Shirt Crew at the Lampe Park Pavilion starting Wednesday as they set up for the event.
Mail-in submissions received this week will have their session tickets held at will call and will receive a phone call to confirm as such, according to organizer Tiffany Ellis.
The first three sessions for 6-12-year-olds on Saturday are full, while other sessions and age groups are open, with lots of tickets for Sunday, Ellis said.
Wednesday night is the last call for volunteer training at 6 p.m. with helpers sought to aid on the river, as well as setting up and tearing down and removing any trout left over on Sunday afternoon, Ellis said.
Raffle tickets are available for purchase for $2 each or six for $10 for cash only. Grand prizes to include a $300 Sportsman’s Warehouse gift card, a Tandem kayak, and a four-person fishing trip at Lake Tahoe. The raffle includes 130-plus prizes, which will be given away through the weekend. Winners need not be present.
Fish removed from the creek after the Derby are anticipated to be replanted at Gilman or Mitch Pond depending on temperatures and water depth.
Visit www.dcnvkidsfishingderby.org for more information.
