The 2017 Fermilab Fishing Derby was a great success! More than 75 people of all ages came out to fish, despite the threatening storms. The weather was perfect and the fish were biting!
There was a three-way tie for first place: Suzanne Saxer, Barry Horn and Joaquin Colmenares (age 5) all caught 13-inch bass fish.
Other prizes were given as well:
- Smallest Bass went to Quentin Eiffes.
- First Snapping Turtle Catch went to Quentin’s father, Albert Eiffes.
- Most Fish Per Age Group awards went to Guin Hazelwood and Charlie Saperston.
- Best Fish Question (about how to catch an octopus) went to Ershaleen Saini.
- Most Squeamish went to Ershaleen’s mother, Lovedeep Saini.
- Smallest Fish went to Trent Wiedman 3 ¼-inch bluegill.
The Fishing Derby was organized by Fermilab Global Services and fishing aficionados Kyle Hazelwood, Denton Morris and Aron Soha.
Thank you to Fermilab Natural Areas, who came and set up an educational table with fish stickers for the kids. Also a big thank you to “Gills,” a large bluegill who sat on display in a fish tank as children looked on in wonder and competed to name him. He was caught by Kyle Morris and his father Denton and was happy to return to the lake at the end of the event.
Overall, it was a great event.
“I can’t wait until next year!” said Derby judge and co-planner Denton Morris.
Click on the magnifying glass in the lower corner to view photos in full:
Fishing Derby
Guin Hazelwood wins a medal for catching the most fish in her age group, awarded by her father, Kyle. Photo: Denton Morris
Fishing Derby
Albert Eiffes shows his son, Quentin, how to remove a fish hook. Quentin won the prize for "Smallest Bass." Photo: Jessica Jensen
Fishing Derby
Gavin “Most Patient” Wu and his father Zhenbin “Most Helpful” Wu. Gavin caught a 3.5-inch bluegill. Photo: Jessica Jensen
Fishing Derby
Charlie Saperston won “Most Fish Per Age Group." Photo: Jessica Jensen
Fishing Derby
Kyle Morris and his dad, Denton, do some official Fishing Derby Judge business—measuring Amparo Garcia Prada’s bluegill. Amparo caught the most bluegill and won a trophy. Photo: Jessica Jensen
Fishing Derby
Austin Otiepka won the prize for "First Catch." Photo: Jessica Jensen
Fishing Derby
Carlo Ferrari helps Lovedeep Saini (Winner of "Most Squeamish") bring in her fish. Their daughters, Ershaleen and Vittoria, are the best of friends. Photo: Jessica Jensen
Fishing Derby
Fermilab Natural Areas set up an educational table at the Fishing Derby where people could learn about wildlife at Fermilab. Photo: Jessica Jensen
Fishing Derby
Joaquin and his father Luis. Joaquin tied for 1st place with this 13" bass.Photo Credit Jessica Jensen
Fishing Derby
Barry Horn and his prize-winning bass. Photo: Kyle Hazelwood
Fishing Derby
Guin Hazelwood and her prize-winning turtle. Photo: Kyle Hazelwood
Fishing Derby
Gills the fish served as official spokesfish for the event. Children visited him and competed to name him. Photo: Jessica Jensen
Fishing Derby
Tent Wiedman, winner of “Smallest Fish." Photo: Denton Morris
