Sixty-seven kids braved the rain on May 17 to participate in the Andover Fish and Game Club’s (AF&G) 19th annual Kids Spring Trout Fishing Derby. The Derby took place 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 attended by an eager crowd of kids and their parents. Each kid, equipped with a bucket of fish, helped release the slippery beasts into the water. Thank you to Fish and Game Officers Jim Kneeland and Josiah Towne for making the stocking and the Derby a success.

At the Derby, a total of 80 fish were reeled in by the young fishing enthusiasts. These included 41 trout, 2 bass, 23 hornpout, and 14 others. After the big event, raffle prizes, lucky prizes, and trophies were awarded to lucky participants. Every kid received a participation ribbon.

The trophy winners were as follows: Longest trout at 14½ inches to Trey Kierstead, second longest trout at 14½ inches to Bryanna Place, third longest trout at 14⅛ inches to Chelsea Thompson, total length of trout caught at 53¼ inches to Trinity Place, and longest non-trout species, an 11½ inch hornpout, to Kayla Adams.

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. The Club’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Beef Barbecue and Chinese Auction, will take place in August. Keep an eye out for more information.