Arkansas club hosts first kids fishing derby

The Columbia County Bass Club held its first youth fishing derby June 16 for kids ranging in age from 2 to 14 years old.

Magnolia, Ark. — The Columbia County Bass Club held its inaugural CCBC Youth Fishing Derby June 16 at a private pond. 

The Arkansas B.A.S.S. Nation club decided to start a youth fishing derby to “help kids start fishing and stay off the streets,” said CCBC President John Sanner. 

Eleven youngsters ranging in ages from 2 to 14 years old attended the fishing derby. Sanner said he was pleased with the turnout for the club’s first youth event. “It went so well that we will probably start having two of them a year,” he said. The club president suggested his club might hold another derby in fall and another next spring.

The derby participants fished from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. and then the club treated them to hot dogs, chips and drinks.  Awards were handed out to the kids for overall biggest fish, overall most fish, overall smallest fish and biggest fish in three age groups: 2 to 5 years old, 6 to 9 and 10 to 14.

Club members helping run the fishing derby included Brandy Sanner, Paden Dees, Jason McWilliams, Jim Ford, Billy Gray, Warren Basinger, Mark Barr and John Sanner.