The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
FISHING FUN DAY
68th annual Fishing Derby provides outdoors entertainment for area youths
SHERRILL, N.Y. » Young anglers got a chance to showcase their skills or even learn some new ones at the 68th annual Sherrill Kids Fishing Derby.
While avid fishers, Vernon locals Blake Bechtel, 11, and his father Dale said it was their first time coming to the fishing derby. Blake said he learned about the derby from one of his friends at school.
“We do a lot of fishing and try to get out as much as possible. We go to Eaton Brook, Leland Pond and Lake Moraine,” Dale said. “It’s the first timewe heard about this. And they’ve been doing it for 68 years.”
“It’s a Sherrill tradition and a great day for the family,” organizer Mike Keenan said. “We always get a lot of people coming out. Parents, grandparents and kids love it. Just last year, we had 133 kids attend.”
The fishing derby is open to any child 15 years or younger, with four age groups consisting of 5 and under, 6-7 years old, 8-9 years old and 10-15 years old.
The event is free to the public and even if you don’t have a fishing pole or bait, there’s enough to go around.
“We have fishing poles available if you don’t have a pole and we bring worms for people who need them. Sometimes people forget,” Keenan said. “We just had a father and son come up looking to buy and gave it to them.”
Kenidi Bloss, 9, was among the first anglers to catch a 10-inch bullhead shortly after the whistle was blown signaling the start of the derby.
Kenidi said she does a lot more fishing up at camp, but likes to fish when she can.
“You get to see all these different animals and all these different fish that you don’t really get to see,” she said. “It’s a lot more fun than staying at home.”