SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The fishing was great! These were probably the words said by many of the youth who participated in the annual Dale Sare Optimist Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Fishing has been so great that the event has been going strong for 40 years. In 1986, local attorney and Optimist member Dale Sare and others, working with a partnership of agencies including the National Forest Service, California Fish and Game, and Eldorado County, created a fishing area specifically designated for kids 14-years-old and younger. Shortly after, the South Lake Tahoe Optimist Club started the annual fishing derby event.
The event, from the looks of the photos, shows that it was a real hit! It was estimated at least 150 youth participated. During the day, the Optimist and Junior Optimist members were kept busy helping kids with their fish and feeding the hungry anglers with hot dogs and lemonade.
The South Lake Tahoe Optimist Club would like to thank Tahoe Fly Fishing, Raley’s, the Moose Lodge, and El Dorado Fish and Wildlife Commission for their assistance and donations, which made the event a success. A special thank you goes to Francine Tanner, who has helped with fish cleaning for many years. To all other volunteers and helpers, the SLT Optimist Club gives out a very special thank you for helping to make the event a success.
The Optimist Club is a local service organization of men and women that helps support youth programs. We are constantly funding youth groups and school classroom projects. Our motto is “Friend of Youth.” We are currently looking for new members. If this interests you, please get involved with our group. For more information about the SLT Optimist Club, please check out our website https://southlaketahoeoptimist.com/
-Larry Lambdin, South Lake Tahoe Optimist Club
