Fishermen in training catch big ones
May 10, 2012
By Michele Mihalovich
Things weren’t looking too good for Hamed Mokrani at the 63rd annual Mount Si Fish and Game Club’s Kids Trout Derby.
“So far, I’ve only caught rocks and seaweed,” said the 7-year-old from Kirkland.
Two of the three ponds behind the Snoqualmie Police Department on Douglas Avenue were lined with young anglers trying their luck at the May 5 derby.
At stake were prizes, like poles and fishing gear — not to mention bragging rights.
By Michele Mihalovich Doug Turnure (left) watches his son D.J. Turnure, 6, practice casting at the 63rd annual Kid’s Trout Derby in Snoqualmie. The Mount Si Fish and Game Club put on the derby.
Ruby Richter, 9, of Issaquah, came with the goal of winning, like she’d done in years past. But it wasn’t to be.
Prizes were awarded for the four fish that weighed the most for each age category from 5- to 14-year-olds, and her fish got bumped off the board.
The competition began at daybreak, and organizers who showed up at about 5:30 a.m. to set things up found children already casting lines.
Ericka Scholz of Normandy Park, one of the early birds, brought her twin, 6-year-old daughters.
By 9:30 a.m., not one fish had hit the girls’ Barbie and princess fishing pole lines.
“But we remain optimistic,” Scholz said.
Byron Brown, 5, of Snoqualmie, had no trouble whatsoever landing a fish — and not just any fish.
The shy little fisherman hooked a 2-pound, 10-ounce trophy trout, not only winning first place in the 5-year-old category, but landing the biggest fish of the derby.
This is the third year Brown has competed in the derby.
His uncle Chad Charbonneah has been bringing the seasoned pro to the derby to “teach him how to fish and learn values and good sportsmanship.”
It seemed to be working, because Brown left with a bag of fishing gear.
Garry Trussell, president of the Mount Si Fish and Game Club, said the derby is a fun way to get children interested in the sport of fishing.
“These kids are the future of fishing,” said Milton Keizer, a club member. “And it’s a day they will remember the rest of their lives.”
Michele Mihalovich: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com.
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