height="82" border="0" alt="Link to Northeast Region, USFWS; map of region">

href="http://blackwater.fws.gov/">Blackwater (Md.) National Wildlife Refuge held its second annual youth fishing derby on June 5 at

Hog Range Pond. The event was a great success, with 45 children registering to fish. The first fish was caught by Megan McGowan almost as soon

as she placed her line in the water. The young anglers caught catfish and sunfish faster than the volunteers could weigh and measure them. Prizes

were given for the first fish, the biggest fish, and the most fish in three age groups, and a special prize was given for the smallest fish of the day. A

drawing was held from tickets given to each entrant at registration, and prizes were given out every 15 minutes. Cambridge Wal-Mart not only

helped with advertising, bait (14 dozen night crawlers), and prizes for the winners or drawings, but also donated fanny packs containing fishing

related items for each entrant.

Free hot dogs, pretzels and a T-shirt were provided by the Friends of Blackwater for each child

registered. A free soda was provided by the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company. The friends sold hot dogs, sodas, and chips to the rest of the visitors

and staff. Volunteers took Polaroid photos of the kids with their fish and gave each of them a photo. All 45 of the refuge rods and reels were

loaned out and started coming back in before any more were needed. Another partner, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries,

stocked the pond with 400 hybrid sunfish and 250 hybrid sunfish. Much to our surprise, over 190 of the 198 fish caught were catfish, already in the

pond.

Several anglers brought their turtles and frogs to race in Blackwater's Ninth Annual Turtle Race and

Frog Jumping Competition. This year's frog jumping contest was the largest ever, with 19 children entering frogs and toads in the competition.

Kids saw demonstrations on knot tying and on "What's in a Tackle Box," a reptile exhibit and

"touch tank," and learned about fish and fisheries conservation. A professional bass fisherman and police officer for the DARE program provided items

to include in each angler's gift bag and helped the youngsters learn how to fish. A representative of Grand National Waterfowl Hunt joined

Blackwater staff and volunteers in helping the youngsters bait, cast and take their fish off the hook. The weather contributed, too — not too

hot, breezy enough to keep the bugs away, and no rain until the tent and canopies were taken down and stored. Best event we have ever

held!!

NORTHEAST REGION, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE -- Conserving the Nature of the Northeast