Staring at a pond (not a screen) at derby

NORTH CANAAN — The annual fishing derby at the Northwest Connecticut Rod and Gun Club has been held on the third Sunday in May for as long as anyone can remember. It probably began long before cell phone use became so widespread, but in 2019 it was particularly great to see young children enjoying staring out at a pond instead of staring at a screen.

The derby usually brings 80 to 100 children from all over Litchfield County. This year, on a sunny Sunday, May 19, it was no different. 

The pond was stocked with around 100 fish. There were sunny bass and trout, with two special golden trout thrown in for some lucky anglers to catch.

The young contestants focused on catching fish and eating hot dogs and hamburgers, while organizers measured and recorded the catches on clipboards. 

For prizes, there were three different age groups: 1 to 5 year olds, 6 to 10 year olds and 11 to 15 year olds. 

In each age group, the boy and the girl who caught the biggest fish got a bicycle. 

But every single child went home with a prize; there were two folding tables heaped with toys and fishing rods that were donated by community members and businesses. 

Jim’s Bait and Tackle donated the bait.Bikes were donated by Wendy Eichman, Skip Simonin, Dan Belmonte and Raynard & Peirce Realty. Money, toys or fishing items were donated by Reuben Miller, Skip Simonin, Cameron Brayen, Kylie Drumm, Steve Sekulski, Charlie Barber, Bob Millette, Dan Belmonte and Paul Devenow.

The derby results:

• 2 years old:  Julia Maronay   15-inch bass; Enzo Miller, 21 3/4-inch carp

• 7 years old: Sam Silvernail, 13-inch trout

• 9 years old: Xavier Nelson,   14-inch bass

• 11 years old: McKenzie O’Dell, 13-inch bass

• 13 years old: Jonathan Minacci, 14 1/2-inch bass