Salem Fishing Derby Nets Many Happy Kids
May 1, 2015
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- Staff photo by Jon Tripp Tyler Bates (great fishing name) watches as his dad removes the hook from his fish.
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- Staff photo by Jon Tripp Jaylanie Gomes gets a little help from her dad, Argenis.
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- Staff photo by Jon Tripp Trish Harris holds on to her son Zack as he reels in his line.
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- Staff photo by Jon Tripp Ty Toby has a bird’s eye view of the water from atop the lifeguard’s chair.
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- Staff photo by Jon Tripp Callan Nale watches as his fish gets measured by the Rotary volunteers.
by Jon Tripp
Seven-year-old Jackson Gonzea caught a big one that measured nearly 14 inches long. And that’s no fish story.
Jackson was just one of the many children who grabbed their poles and flocked to Hedgehog Park on Saturday, April 25 for the annual fishing derby sponsored by the Salem Recreation Department and the Rotary Club of Greater Salem. Other sponsors of the event included Park Place Bowling Lanes and McDonald’s/Arch Advertising.
The pond was stocked with about 600 fish prior to the event with the sponsors helping to pay for 350 fish and the NH Fish and Game department providing 250 matching fish. Both brook and rainbow trout were supplied. The kids were divided into two main groups by age: 8 years and under, and 9 to 15 years with three smaller categories in each for awarding prizes. Prizes were awarded for the smallest and largest fish in each age category and trophies were given for the overall smallest and largest fish in each age group.
The 2015 Fishing Derby winners were as follows:
Smallest Fish
4 years old & under: 9 inches, Jack Berrini, age 3
5 to 6 years old: 8 inches, Gavin Connell, age 5
7 to 8 years old: 8 3/8 inches, Hunter Suvenrengin, age 8
9 to 10 years old: 8 1/2 inches, Peyton Acker, age 9
11 to 12 years old: 8 inches, Drew Leamy, age 11
13 to 15 years old: 7 inches, Chris Burke, age 14
Smallest Fish, Overall Length, 8 & Under:
5 inches, Averi Bolduc, age 6
Largest Fish, Overall Length, 8 & Under:
13 1/2 inches, Jackson Gonzea, age 7
Largest Fish
4 years old & under: 10 1/4 inches, Cooper Daigle, age 2
5 to 6 years old: 11 1/4 inches, Ty Tormey, age 6
7 to 8 years old: 10 7/8 inches, Cameron Burke, age 7
9 to 10 years old: 10 5/8 inches, Brianna Kryesinski, age 9
11 to 12 years old: 10 3/8 inches, Leah Burke, age 12
13 to 15 years old: 10 1/2 inches, Jason Love, age 13
Smallest Fish, Overall Length, Ages 9 to 15:
6 3/4 inches, Michael Caruso, age 10
Largest Fish, Overall Length, Ages 9 to 15:
10 3/4 inches, Mitchell McGinn, age 14
This year, the Rotary Club also added the “Chuck Black Most Spirited Fishing Award” after one of their charter members. This was Chuck’s favorite event and he was the official measurer for over a decade. Certificates were awarded to two individuals that demonstrated great spirit while fishing at Hedgehog. A perpetual plaque with their names will be posted at the recreation department. The 8-year-old and younger winner was Julia Balzano. The 9- to 15-year-old winner was Edward Rowell.
