Photos by Jenny Garey
State Youth Fishing Tournament winner Rusty Markum of Middletown shows off the hardware bestowed by Gov. Ruth Ann Minner for his catch that included a 16½-pound carp. He also won a savings bond, rod and reel and a tackle box.
Big fish and little fish from big ponds, and big and little youth anglers from throughout the state who caught them – recognition recently came their way when Governor Ruth Ann Minner cited the winners of Delaware's 2007 Youth Fishing Tournament.
The youngsters were honored at DNREC's annual awards ceremony during the Delaware State Fair and received citations from Gov. Minner. First among them was Rusty Markum, 10, of Middletown, who won the statewide tournament and also was New Castle County's winning youth angler thanks to a 16½-pound carp caught from Lums Pond. Rusty received a new fishing rod and tackle box, plus a savings bond and two trophies.
The 21st annual tournament was held last June as part of National Fishing Week at Ingrams Pond in Millsboro, Wyoming Pond in Town Park, Wyoming, and at the Lums Pond State Park dog training area in Bear. The event is open to ages 4 to 15, with prizes awarded in three age groups: 4 to 7, 8 to 11 and 12 to 15. More than 200 young anglers participated in this year's tournament.
Kent County winner Kevin Turner, 5, of Felton, took second place statewide after a catch totaling 3.2 pounds taken from Wyoming Pond and received a trophy and a new fishing rod and tackle box. Sussex County winner Kory Moore, 15, of Millsboro, won third place statewide with catches totaling 3.2 pounds out of Ingrams Pond, and garnered a trophy and a new fishing rod and tackle box.
The Governor attests to the size of 5-year-old Kevin Turner's catch that won him a trophy and tackle box for second place as Lt. Gov. John Carney seconds the motion.
“It was great to see over 200 kids participate in this year's tournament, because it's a great recreational program for all ages, getting parents and their kids out together to enjoy the great sport of fishing in Delaware,” said Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Chief James Graybeal. He also applauded “the Fish and Wildlife agents who go above and beyond the call of duty visiting vendors all over the state asking for prize donations so each kid will receive a prize.”
Delaware's Youth Fishing Tournament was established in 1986 to introduce youth to the sport of fishing and to teach the catch-and-release approach to conservation. More results from this year's tournament included:
Sussex County (56 participants) 3-year-old prize: Leah Rogers, Frankford. Ages 4-7: Chad Conaway, 7, Milton – 1.61 pounds; Tyler Horn, 6, Laurel – 1.6 pounds; Matison Eskridge, 6, Bridgeville – 10.4 ounces. Ages 8-11: Hunter Lied, 8, Millsboro – 2.9 pounds; George Tice Jr., 10, Milford – 13.6 ounces; Angela Tice, 10, Milford – 10.01 ounces. Ages 12-15: Joe Garvilla, 13, Georgetown – 2.3 pounds; Stephen Smith, 14, Millsboro – 8.3 ounces; Kali Jo Griffith, 12, Selbyville – 2.9 ounces.
Kent County (45 participants) Ages 4-7: Ben Newlin, age, town not available, 14 ounces; Autumn Fitzgerald, 7, Houston, 8 ounces; Jordan McNatt, 5, Dover, 5.17 ounces. Ages 8-11: Nicholas Hennen, age, town not available, 2.4 pounds; Danielle Dotson, age, town not available, 1.9 pounds; Matthew Fitzgerald, 9, Houston, 1.2 pounds. Ages 12-15: Dillon Parrish, 15, Wyoming, 1.7 pounds; Dylan Chessher, age, town not available, 9.9 ounces; Jordan Reynolds, 15, Dover, 3.3 ounces.
New Castle County (140 participants) Ages 4-7: Laurel Hossler, 7, Smyrna, 2.09 pounds; Charlie Durand, 4, New Castle, 2.02 pounds. Alyse Burkett, 7, Newark, 1.8 pounds; Ashleigh Roderick 5, Elkton, Md., 1.6 pounds.Ages 8-11: Maura Hossler, 10, Smyrna, 2.76 pounds; David Schneider, 10, Newark, 1.09 pounds; Sarah Laskowski, 8, Bear, 14.2 ounces. Ages 12-15: Kristen Gerhardt, 12, Wilmington, 1.1 pounds; Christian Barlow, 12, Newark, 1 pound; Jessica Lucas, 14, Newark, 13.5 ounces; Billy Rineer, 15, Newport, 10.2 ounces. Smallest fish: Matthew Budz, 9, Middletown, yellow perch, 0.3 ounces. Other: Matthew Blaasch, 7, Middletown, turtle, 10.22 ounces.
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The Division of Fish & Wildlife's Enforcement Section wishes to thank the following sponsors for their contributions to the 2007 Delaware Youth Fishing Tournament:
New Castle County
Globe Electric
Almar Marine
Pat McDerby
Oil Change Express
Terry Spence
Shooters Supply
Captain Bones
Kent County
Kraft Foods
Willis Chevrolet
Cedar Creek Bait & Tackle
Cedar Creek Outdoorsman
Ocean Pro Bait & Tackle
Smith Bait & Tackle
Sussex County
Bill's Sport Shop
Dewey Beach Lions Club
Rehoboth Bay Marina
Old Inlet Bait & Tackle
Wal*Mart
Lingo Marine
Joseph Couchman Tile
B&R Tackle Shop
YNS Bait & Tackle
Gander Mountain
Waste Management
Fred Webb Minnows
Hookem 'n Cookem
