Fishing for Success
Barely able to lift his fish, this young angler displays the results of his efforts at a Monongahela fishing derby.
Fishing derbies are a spring fixture across the Monongahela, and eagerly attended by more than 1,000 children with parents and guardians in tow.
With shouts of excitement and smiles on their faces, children across the Monongahela National forest have been reeling in fish, learning how to cast, and winning prizes at fishing derbies. The Forest has sponsored derbies for 18 years, with the event held at Bowden typically one of the largest such derbies in the nation.
It's safe to say that every possible combination of spring weather has been experienced at these events over the years, but they continue to draw devoted crowds, no matter what Mother Nature dishes out.
Four derbies were held in 2008, beginning with the Greenbrier Ranger District May 17 at Lake Buffalo, followed by derbies on May 31 at Summit Lake on the Gauley District and at Horseshoe Run on the Cheat-Potomac District, and ending with the derby at Bowden outside of Elkins on June 7.
While the energy and enthusiasm of the children and their families is the same across the derbies, each event has a character all its own. The Lake Buffalo derby, which takes place on a Forest Service impoundment, is strongly supported by local residents. An area family annually donates money to the event in memory of a member who was a stalwart derby supporter.
Now in its 17th year, this derby also includes a locally run concession stand with all proceeds going back into the derby for prizes and supplies the next year.
The Horseshoe Run derby is unusual in that it takes place along a flowing stream, which requires district staff to place nets above and below the fishing area to contain the fish. Celebrating its 18th year this year, the Horseshoe derby holds casting competitions, other fish related games, offers educational booths and concessions, and provides professional filleting services to those fortunate enough to catch fish.
The Summit Lake derby has been held for 8 years and offers the same fishing experiences and casting competitions as the others, but has the added attraction of an educational snake show. Roy Moose, from the Monongahela's Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, presented his Snakes of West Virginia" program, including live venomous and non-venomous species, to a fascinated audience.
The Bowden derby is unique in that it takes place at a fish hatchery. Formerly operated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Bowden Hatchery is now run by the the WV Division of Natural Resources. While the fish in the raceways can be viewed by folks at the derby, the only fishing allowed is in ponds specifically designated for that purpose. The Forest has been a derby sponsor at Bowden for 18 years, and currently runs the casting competition. This is a large event, with multiple casting lanes and plenty of prizes.
Fishing derbies continue to be a fun and effective way to connect children to the great outdoors. Many of the children who take part in the derbies on the Monongahela are already anglers, but for a significant part of the group, this is the first time they have been exposed to the sport.
Despite the work involved in putting on the derbies, the Forest employees who staff the booths, register kids, help them bait and cast, and answer questions will all agree that the work is worth the results.