It was a rainy day on May 6 for the Andover Fish and Game Club’s (AF&G) 22nd Annual Kids’ Spring Trout Fishing Derby, but 39 kids made it out, armed with their fishing poles. The Derby took place, as usual, along the Highland Lake Channel by the AF&G Clubhouse. Free hot dogs and refreshments were enjoyed by the kids and their families while they fished.

The Channel was stocked the night before with 500 trout, half of which were provided by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. The public stocking was low in attendance due to heavy rain, but the kids that showed, each equipped with a bucket of fish, helped Fish and Game Conservation Officer, Jonathon Demler, release the slippery beasts into the water. Thank you to the New Hampshire Fish and Game.

An impressive 118 trout were reeled in by the eager young anglers, thirteen of whom caught the legal limit of five trout. After the big event, raffle prizes, lucky prizes, and trophies were awarded to lucky participants. Every kid received a participation ribbon and more than 20 lucky prizes were awarded.

The Andover Fish and Game Club thanks everyone who donated their time and supplies to make this event a successful and fun learning experience for the kids. Particular thanks to Jake’s Market of Andover, Park N Go Market of Elkins, Smith River Trading Post of Danbury, and Marty Judd’s Plumbing and Heating of Hill. The Club’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Beef Barbecue and Chinese Auction, will take place on August 19 from 5 to 6:30 PM at the Andover Elementary/Middle School. More details to follow in the next issue of the Beacon.