Spring Lake Kids Trout Derby

[Billfish715]

I just got back from Spring Lake where I watched and photographed the kids stocking a bunch of bruiser trout from the Musky Hatchery. It was a very fun experience for everyone despite the rain. When the truck pulled up, someone described the scene as Santa finally arriving. The kids eyes were as big as pie plates when they saw the fish and the oooh's and aaah's were hard to contain. The adults helped dip trout out of the truck and put them into plastic totes for the kids to carry to the lake. Some of the little ones were just that...... little. Often five or six of them would lug the totes and pass them off to a group of waiting teenagers who were standing in the lake where they dumped the fish.

The tournament itself is scheduled for next Saturday with lots of prizes and awards for the kids. The Shark River Surf Anglers, led by Greg Hueth ( Mohawk Captain) does a fabulous job year in and year out. If you have youngsters and want to take them to a fun opening day experience, think about going to Spring Lake next Saturday. Donations are always welcomed but the tournament is free.

[cruiser1234]

They do a great job every year. Unfortunately more adults just go and ruin it for the kids. Keep an eye out for this tool bag. Every year he’s by the church. I called him out last year and he at first lied and said he was waiting on his grand kids smh. Anyway same spot every year if anyone wants to let him know he’s a tool bag. I mentioned it to the event organizers they spoke to him but he stayed unfortunately I don’t believe they can remove him. They really depend on people allowing the kids a few hours on opening day. If your an adult and can’t do that for the kids you need to rethink a lot of things!

[FASTEDDIE29]

They do a great job for sure. I hear stories about this derby all the time. Some absolute bruisers get stocked. Awesome effort by all involved!

[Mikey topaz]

Jeff, Chase & Vern do a great job with what they do. Nice to see this outing evrey year with the kiddos. Good luck to all fishing the tournament!

[Billfish715]

Originally Posted by FASTEDDIE29

They do a great job for sure. I hear stories about this derby all the time. Some absolute bruisers get stocked. Awesome effort by all involved!

Bruisers might be an understatement. There were some gargantuan sized trout put in the lake all thanks to the efforts of the club but more importantly to the sponsors and financial donors who help pay for the fish. The Musky Hatchery provided the trout which included some wall hanger browns, rainbows, tigers and goldens (palominos). In addition, the state stocks their hatchery rainbows and there will be an additional stocking by the club during the tournament.

Unfortunately, when there are tournaments on waters that are open to the public, the sponsors can't restrict the public from fishing there. If the googans can keep from elbowing the kids away from the banks and if no one makes a real circus of it by rowing a personal watercraft or boat into the lake, the youngsters might catch the fish of a lifetime.

To all of the googans (you probably don't even know who you are) please give the kids room to fish. If you really want to enjoy yourself, take your own son, daughter, nephew, niece, neighbor, cub scout troop, church group, etc. and be thrilled when one of them catches a fish. It's a thrill they and you will remember for a lifetime.