Andover Fish and Game Spring Trout Derby

Heidi Murphy of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (her hands are visible holding the net) was helped by a crowd of kids and families as she stocked Highland Lake with 500 trout the evening before the Andover Fish and Game Club's Kids Spring Fishing Derby. Photo: Gordy Ordway. — Heidi Murphy of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (her hands are visible holding the net) was helped by a crowd of kids and families as she stocked Highland Lake with 500 trout the evening before the Andover Fish and Game Club’s Kids Spring Fishing Derby. Photo: Gordy Ordway.

The winners of the Andover Fish and Game Club's 2013 Kids Spring Trout Fishing Derby. Photo: Gordy Ordway — The winners of the Andover Fish and Game Club’s 2013 Kids Spring Trout Fishing Derby. Photo: Gordy Ordway

It was a great day for fishing on Saturday, May 18, at the Andover Fish and Game Club’s (AF&G) 18th annual Kids Spring Trout Fishing Derby. The nice spring day brought out 84 boys and girls ages 15 and under to fish along the Highland Lake Channel. Hot dogs and refreshments were enjoyed by the kids and their families at the AF&G clubhouse during the Derby.

The Channel was stocked the night before with 500 trout, 250 purchased by the Club and a matching number provided by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. The public stocking was attended by a good crowd of interested kids and their parents. Each kid, equipped with a bucket of fish, helped Fish and Game Conservation Officer Heidi Murphy release the slippery beasts into the water.

At the Derby, a total of 106 fish were reeled in by the young fishing enthusiasts. These included 70 trout, 5 bass, and 31 others, including sunfish, hornpout, and shiners. After the big event, raffle prizes, lucky prizes, and trophies were awarded to lucky participants. Every kid received a participation ribbon.

The Andover Fish and Game Club extends special thanks to Heidi Murphy and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department for donating 250 brook trout, which matched the 250 that Andover Fish and Game purchased. All the trout went into Highland Lake for the Kids Spring Trout Fishing Derby and for the fishing season. Photo: Gordy Ordway

The trophy winners were as follows: Longest trout at 16¾ inches to Ethan Mock, second longest trout at 16½ inches to Jonathon Gilpatric, third longest trout at 15½ inches to Jacob Demers, total length of trout caught at 49 inches to Jarrett Benson, and longest non-trout species, a 12⅝ inch bass, to Brianna Coulter.

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.