Fishing Derby Day brings out young anglers

More than 280 children and their Families attended Fort Gordon's Fishing Derby held Sept. 27 at Claypit Lakes. Registration kicked off at 7 a.m. The event was open to the public for children, age 3 to 15 years old. Live bait was supplied and free T-shirts were given to the first 300 kids who registered for the event.

The Fishing Derby ran from 8 to 11 a.m. with a total of 312 lbs. of assorted fish weighed in at 11 a.m. The young participants enjoyed a free lunch of hot dogs, chips and a soda. Door prizes were given out at noon. Trophies were awarded to first, second and third place winners in each age group for the most pounds caught.

Danny Hockenberry placed first in the 5 and under category with a total catch of 6 lbs. 15 oz.; Chase Rogers earned second place after bringing in 5 lbs. 1 oz. of fish; and Jonathan Dill took third place after his fish tipped the scale at 3 lbs. 12 oz..

Madison Huckleberry earned the first place trophy in the 6 to 8 year olds with a total catch of 6 lbs.; Jaclyn Dhahran took second place with a catch of 4 lbs. 4 oz.; and Taylor Dill tied with Michael Thigpen for third place after bringing in a total catch of 3 lbs.7 oz.

In the 9-12 year olds category, Breanne Bradley took the first place trophy home with a catch of 16 lbs. 11 oz.; Krista Jackson caught 5 lbs. 10 oz. of fish and placed second. Cord Conaway earned the third place trophy with a total catch of 7 lbs. 9 oz.

Marcus Ashley took the first place trophy home in the 13 to 15 year old category after catching 3 lbs. 2 oz. of assorted fish; Clay Dill took second place with a catch of 3 lbs. 1 oz. and Dalton King walked away with the third place trophy with a catch of 2 lbs. 13 oz.

In the afternoon about 100 children and their Families participated in the shooting sports program at Range 14, the Tactical Advantage Sportsman's Complex, located on post. Registration began at noon; activities kicked off at 1 p.m.

Instructions were offered in archery, skeet and rifle shooting. Every child was accompanied by an adult for each of the events that participated in at the range.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources operated the laser shot shooting simulator and the Fort Gordon Fish and Wildlife office featured a wildlife exhibit.

Sponsors for the Fort Gordon National Hunting and Fishing Day were Augusta Coca Cola, Club Car, Herbert Homes, Washington Road Tire and Auto, Ann Taylor Certified Pre-Owned Cars and Trucks, Gann's Crickets, Fort Gordon Fish and Wildlife office, Georgia Hunter Education Association and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

The Fort Gordon Kids' Fishing Derby and Shooting Day are conducted annually during the National Hunting and Fishing Day, which held the fourth Saturday of every September.

The national event, which was spearheaded by sportsman President Theodore Roosevelt years ago, promotes wise conservation and scientific wildlife management.