100 Kids had a great day fishing in Hog Range Pond at Blackwater NWR's 5th Youth Fishing Derby June 2, 2007. Photographer Maggie Briggs

Volunteers Peggy Tillier, Chuck Mock, Mary Lynch, and intern Amy Preston assist kids in registering for Blackwater NWR's 5th Youth Fishing Derby at Hog Range Pond on June 2, 2007.

Blackwater's 5th annual youth frog jumping competition . Photographer Cindy Heffley

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge's 5^th Youth Fishing Derby was another terrific success with100 youths registering to fish at the Hog Range Pond on June 2, 2007. The young anglers caught mostly catfish and a few sunfish from 9:00 am to 12:00pm. A first, second, and third prize was given to the biggest catfish and biggest sunfish in three age groups (under 5 years old, 6-10 years old, and 11-15 years old). A prize was also given for the most fish and the most unusual or other fish in each age category and for the biggest fish of the day. Starting at 9:30, a drawing was held every 30 minutes for donated prizes for the registered youths. The young anglers caught 101 fish. However, because it was a hot sunny day and the water level on the pond was down from lack of rain, they did not catch as many as in the past two years. Eight year old Zachary Peters caught the biggest fish of the day with an 11 1/4 inch catfish.

A free hotdog was provided by Superfresh; a free soda was provided by the Pepsi Cola Company; and chips, and a t-shirt were provided by the Friends of Blackwater; for each registered youth. Each youth also received a gift bag of many useful and fun items. Many free gifts for the bags were donated by the Wal-Mart All-American Fishing program, but also included were MD fishing regulations, DNR fish rulers, Gander Mountain Bucks, free cone coupons from Dairy Queen, free Italian ice coupons from Rita's Water Ice, and free pencils from Friends of Blackwater. Prizes were donated by Shore Sportsman, West Marine, Fit and Fresh, Gootees Marine, Gander Mountain, and Wal-Mart. All the bait was donated by the Cambridge Wal-Mart. Bass Pro donated another 15 rods and reels to bring the total to 67 rods and reels to loan out to kids who did not have one.  Harmon Septic Care donated a second port-a-pot for the day. Another partner, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries, stocked the pond with blue gill and bass two weeks prior to the event As in the past, most of the fish caught were catfish already in the pond.

Bob Gormly, Mac MacDonald, and Jim Kubista from the Grand National Waterfowl Hunt Association joined staff and volunteers in assisting the children to bait, cast and take their fish off the hook. Each kid who wanted a photo with their fish, received a Polaroid photo to take home. Fishing rods and reels were loaned out for the competition to those who did not have fishing gear. Don Willey set up a knot tying display, Kerry Turner set up a live reptile display, and John Gill from the Services Fisheries Program set up an aquarium of local fish for the kids to enjoy when they needed a break from fishing. Johnoliver Gosier from the Coast Guard set up a display and wandered among the kids giving them safety advice.

Several youth brought their turtles and frogs to race in Blackwater's 13^th Annual Turtle Race and 5^th Annual Frog Jumping competition. Twenty turtles competed in this year's race, which featured 5 elimination rounds and a final round. Aireal Vickers from Salisbury won the turtle race edging out 2^nd place winner Rebecca Bailey from Church Creek and 3^rd place winner Alyssa Fox from Cambridge.

The frog jumping contest had 12 frogs and toads entered in the competition. The amphibians battled it out in 4 elimination rounds. First place went to Christopher Robinson from Wingate, second place to Phoenix Bell from Church Creek, and third place to Abby Robinson from Wingate.

There were 20 Blackwater staff, 4 interns, and 23 volunteers helping to make this another great and fun Blackwater event.