Fishing Derby 2008!

The City of Maricopa has an annual Fishing Derby every year. This was their 4th year. The event is open to children ages 6-12. The event is free and includes free fishing poles and fishing kits (really nice), a BBQ lunch, t-shirts, and a raffle with giveaways such as bikes and skate boards, pools, and remote control cars. This is all sponsored by Fry's Grocery Store and Orbitel Communications. Parents and family members surround the lake and help the kids try and catch cat fish, which they stock in the lake a few days before the event.

This year there were a total of 549 "anglers" at the catch and release lake! Grace and Eden were two of many children.

Grace and Eden's Poppy came out to help them catch fish! Dad was also available to lend a hand. It was sort of windy, so the lines kept getting tangled with the other fishermen out there. But, it was so much fun.


You may be wondering what Selah did this whole time...whatever she wanted! But, she did stay away from the lakes edge which was nice and Nana was there to keep her entertained. Each Angler gets an hour to try and catch as many fish as they can. It is on an honor system and once you catch your fish, you throw it back into the lake.

So many kids all around us were catching fish. I think the girls were beginning to get
discouraged! Until....the water started splashing and Daddy pulled in a catfish. The pictures are up near the top. Since Daddy was holding Grace's fishing pole at the time, the credit for catching the fish went to Grace.
We caught one fish in the entire hour and that only in the last 3 minutes of the derby! But, now we knowwhat cattfish like.... hotdogs!

Okay, so I am sorry these pictures are out of order. I am not sure how to get them to move around. But, you get the idea!