BIG Day at the Kids' Fishing Derby at Lake Baron

"Big" describes the fish caught by the winners of the 13th Annual South Lake Tahoe Moose Lodge Kids' Fishing Derby last Sunday at Tahoe Paradise Park's Lake Baron. Records were broken, including biggest fish and number of trophy fish caught. The mark was set early, as Casey Holder landed a 4 lb 9 oz trout in the opening minutes of the Derby. At least 50 trout weighing in at over 2 pounds were pulled in by the participating children, many weighing over 3 pounds! It didn't take long for Chance Rice to bring in the day's ultimate winner, a 4 lb 10 oz beauty! The third biggest fish, another 4 lb 9 oz Rainbow, was caught by Jake Hasslinger, tying for second place. Chance Rice was awarded a First Place $100 Savings account. The two Second Place winners each received a $50 Savings account. The awards were donated by El Dorado Savings Bank.

Every year, the South Lake Tahoe Moose Lodge sponsors this popular event which is Free for all children up to 16 years old. In addition to the fishing, the children are provided with free hot dogs, chips, and sodas, as well as raffle tickets to win one of fifty raffle prizes. The Lodge holds various fund-raisers year-round to fund the event, which this year included stocking the lake with 1000 pounds of "catchable" trout, averaging one pound each, and 500 pounds of "trophy" trout, weighing up to five pounds.

The Lodge would like to acknowledge the contributions from the following local organizations and businesses: El Dorado Community Foundation, El Dorado County Fish and Game Commission, Tahoe Paradise Park, El Dorado Savings Bank, Lira’s Market, IBEW Local Union 1245, Tahoe Fly Fishing Outfitters, Kiwanis Club of Tahoe Sierra, Hi-Lo 4-Wheel Drive Club, Grocery Outlet, McKinney & Associates, Great Basin Trading Company, Signs of Tahoe, and The Bottom Line Tax Service.