The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
CASTING CALL
Anglers from across CT drawn to derby
RIVERTON — For Keith Furniss the joy of fishing with his son goes far beyond what the catch might be.
“He loves to fish, and it’s great for us to get together outside,” Keith Furniss of Bristol said, about his son, Jack. “There’s no video games or cellphone watching allowed on the river. You need both hands to fish.”
Jack Furniss, 13, was at the men’s area of the Riverton Fishing Derby, fishing along with his dad, Keith, and relatives Rocky Sundgren and his son, Warren, both of New Haven.
“I’ve been coming here for four years,” said Jack. “One year I caught a 3pound golden trout and anther year I got three fish. I go out fishing about four times a month, and this is fun.”
Anglers of many ages were out with the warm spring sunshine overhead and temperatures climbing into the 50s and 60s, at the Riverton Fishing Derby returned to the west branch of the Farmington
River in the little village of Riverton.
Families, friends and people just interested in watching large trout being hauled out of the river turned out in abundance for the annual derby, which was not held last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year marked the 71st year for the event.
Anglers of all ages hit the water at 6 a.m. Saturday, many fortified by a pancake breakfast at the Riverton Firehouse. Making long casts from the riverbank, all vied for trophy trout that had been stocked in the area around the former Hitchcock Chair Co. factory.
For almost 70 years, the derby has attracted not just locals, but fishermen from around the state and beyond to try their luck at landing a rainbow, brown or golden trout and claim a prize.
For years, the derby was conducted and funded primarily by the Hitchcock Chair Company. In recent years, leadership has been taken over by several organizations and sponsored by the Riverton Historical Society. The traditional pancake breakfast started at 4 a.m. at the Riverton Fire Department firehouse, followed by the derby from 6 to 10 a.m. Fish caught during that time frame were brought back for weigh-ins at the firehouse.
Dozens of adult anglers were lined up near a bridge that spans the Farmington River, while “Zak’s Pool” off School Street was designated for children 10 and under. Zak’s Pool was opened three years ago and allows young children to fish without battling the older fishermen for precious elbow room in the crowded area around the Riverton Bridge. Parents helped out with the search for a big fish or merely stood by their children and watched the action.
Sundgren, the New Haven resident, said the family head off to Satan’s Kingdom after the derby to continue fishing and enjoy a picnic together.
Warren Sundgren, 19, said there’s some competition between he and his cousin, Jack, but it’s kind of one-sided most times. “I got a lot of years on him and experience is power,” he said.
Walter Morris of Woodbury was busy hauling a rainbow trout that later earned him a prize at the weigh-in.
“We missed it last year,” he said. “I took my daughter, Brandy, the first time this year and she helped to stock the fish in the river last night.”
Bubba St. Onge of Plymouth fished with his 5-yearold grandson, Noah Zullo, at Zak’s Pool.
“I’ve taken him ice fishing and I wanted to bring him here,” St. Onge said. “I’ve been coming here for the Derby for around 45 years. There used to be more people fishing at one time, but we still have around 100 or more today.”
Mark Ahles and Stephen Scanlon were manning the busy weigh-in area at the firehouse. “This is one of the nicer days we have had for the derby,” said Scanlon. “We’ve had snow and cold some years.”
Prior to the announcement of the top fish and ultimate winner of the Derby, Ed Downs read a poem in memory of the late Roberta Petit, who died in March. Petit, along with her late husband, Ed, ran the Riverton General Store and was a beloved town personality.
Riverton Fire Chief Norm Bird also praised Petit and her husband during a brief speech before prizes were handed out. “Her kindness was legendary. She was the diamond in the crown of Riverton,” he said.
The grand prize winner was Gino Musumano, who caught an 8.5 pound rainbow trout. He took home the coveted Hitchcock chair prize along with a gift certificate for a replica mount from New England Taxidermy for his catch.
First place winner was Steve Cherhoniak with an 8-pound trout; second place, Yarmouth Mclellan, a 7.8-ounce rainbow; and third place, Peter Sebben, with a 7-pound rainbow.
Ryan Dalka won a rod, reel, and gift certificate from Otter’s Den Taxidermy for taking the top prize in the youth competition, with a 5.4 pound trout. First place winner was Cillian Josef, with a 4.4 pound trout; Julia Parent with a 2.6 pound trout; and Morgan Artibani with a 2.1 pound trout.
All winners and photographs of the derby can be found at www.rivertonct.com. After the winners were announced to the cheering crowd, some weary anglers and their families wandered off, while others returned to the river to continue trying their luck.
The derby committee thanked Supreme Industries, Farmington River Anglers Association, Royal Coachman-Old Riverton Inn, Laurel City Towing, James D. Iannone, The Riverton General Store, Innovative Lawn and Landscaping, The Town of Barkhamsted, NWCT Trout Unlimited, Nadeau Brothers, TLC Landscaping, Perfect Temp, Canton Well Drilling, Nate Dube and Scott Pare for their support, and to everyone who put a dollar in the jar at the Riverton General Store.