West Rockhill to hook up for fishing derby this Saturday

Having to wait an extra half-year for West Rockhill’s second annual fishing derby may mean more children and parents will be there to cast the line this Saturday morning.

The derby was originally set for April 21, but was postponed because the water was too warm for the fish at the time.

Now it will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, in the pond at James Memorial Park on Ridge Road.

When West Rockhill’s annual Septemberfest was held Sept. 30 at the park, a lot of those attending got information on the fishing derby, Bob Strobel, chairman of the West Rockhill Township Park and Recreation Committee, said at the Oct. 17 township meeting.

“We expect a big turnout if the weather is good,” Strobel said.

Registration is the morning of the event.

The pond will be stocked with four different types of trout in the 13- to 14-inch range. There will also be three tagged prize fishes, with $50 going to whoever catches one of those.

Another age group has been added to the biggest catch of the day competition, with prizes given in each group: girls 4 and younger; boys 4 and younger; girls 5 through 8; boys 5 through 8; girls 9 through 12; and boys 9 through 12.

Each of the participants will receive a free hot dog and drink. Participation in the derby is free for the children. Donations are welcome. All contestants must be accompanied by an adult.

Septemberfest also brought out a good sized crowd this year, with attendance estimated at 5,000, Ebby Schirmer, a member of the West Rockhill Township Park and Recreation Committee, said.

“We ran out of food at 3 [p.m.],” Schirmer said.

At least one of the goodies was gone even before that, Jay Keyser, a West Rockhill Township Board of Supervisors member, said.

“We ran out of root beer floats at 2:15 [p.m.],” he said.

“It was constant go, go, go, go,” in the food service area, Keyser said. “We were running out of change.”

One of the attractions of the West Rockhill event is that attendance is free and prices for the food items are reasonable, the township officials said.