Josiah Rawls (9, left) and Zion Jeter (7, right) showing off their catch of the day. Photo by Matthew Patterson, USFWS.

The derby is a real family affair. Photo by Matthew Patterson, USFWS.

Jay Johnson showing off his birthday catch with his grandmother (Theresa Johnson) and "uncle" Richie Tucker. Photo by Matthew Patterson, USFWS.

Little Miss Dandelion (Brittany Kinsey) showing off her catch. Photo by Matthew Patterson, USFWS.

Tiny Miss Honey Bee (Gabriella Lynch) enjoyed a day of fishing in the beautiful sunshine. Photo by Matthew Patterson, USFWS.

People crowd around the pond as the derby gets underway. Photo by Rachel Mair, USFWS.

Jay Johnson had a big party planned for his 3rd birthday. But before opening presents he wanted to try his hand at fishing at the annual Fishing Derby at White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery.  With a little help from his grandmother (Theresa Johnson) and a family friend (Richie Tucker), Jay baited his hook, cast into the derby pond and reeled in a beautiful rainbow trout.  The trout was his very first catch and he celebrated with his grandmother with a chant of "I caught my first fishy! I caught my first fishy!".

Jay wasn't the only one who had success at this year's derby.  Two hundred and seventy-five children ages 1-14 sat along the bank and pulled in one rainbow trout after another. This year, each child was allowed to catch three rainbow trout to take home and eat.  In addition to the young children, a large group of seniors waited patiently to begin fishing after the children were finished.  When all was said and done, over 500 people from the local area and as far away as Alabama crowded along the pond's edge to spend the day fishing with their family.

The White Sulphur Springs Fishing Derby was hosted by the White Sulphur Springs Rotary Club and the registration and food vending booths were run by a team of 10 volunteers from the Rotary Club and the Friends of the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery.  The derby was held in conjunction with White Sulphur Springs' historic Dandelion Festival, hosted by Main Street White Sulphur Springs.