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CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Despite rain and cooler temperatures over the weekend, the people and the catfish came out in strong numbers for the annual Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Catfish Derby.
The 28th annual event – billed as the largest catfish derby west of the Mississippi – was held Friday, May 13, through Sunday, May 15.
Dennis Locke – a member of the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association, which sponsors the derby – said 491 adults and 112 children were entered this year.
He said attendance was down slightly from last year, which he suggested may have been a result of the inclement weather and higher fuel costs.
Out-of-county residents accounted for 61 percent of entrants, while local residents comprised 39 percent of the entries. More local residents were entered this year than last, Locke noted.
Not lacking in numbers were the fish, which Locke said the weather didn't appear to deter.
“During the derby, contestants weighed 190 fish, easily the most in any derby for the last 10 years,” he said.
Locke said a total of $8,500 in prizes in cash and merchandise were awarded.
This was the first year that a cash prize – $4,000 – was given to the adult contestant catching the largest fish, an addition that Locke said appeared to be well received.
This year Robert Baer IV of Ventura caught the tournament's largest fish, which was taken on Saturday and weighed in at 23.04 pounds. Second place went to Marcia Hatanaka of Clearlake with a 19.96-pound catfish, caught on Saturday, and Samuel Reynolds of Lower Lake, whose 18.93-pounder was taken on Saturday as well.
In addition to the award for the largest fish, 19 other adult contestants received cash prices, Locke said.
For the children, he said prizes included a Nintendo Wii for the winner, and bicycles, fishing poles and cash going to others.
Among the children's competitors, Max Lane of Hood River, Ore., won with a 16.86 pound catfish, caught on Sunday.
Andre Kouckekey of Palo Alto caught a 16.22-pounder on Saturday to take second place, followed by Noah Lane of Hood River with a 15.40-pound fish, caught Sunday.
Also a first this year for the derby – results were sent out via text message and the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association's Twitter account, http://twitter.com/#!/clogba.
Locke said the most popular fishing spots reported included Cache Creek, Indian Island, Rattlesnake Island, Rodman Slough and the state park areas. He said a lot of fish came into the Clearlake Keys to escape the wind.
All proceeds from the Catfish Derby go back into the community to fund events like the Maxine Sherman Memorial Annual Fireworks display at Wigeon Bay in Clearlake Oaks on July 4, and donations to local organizations and scholarships.
Locke said more information and photos will be posted on Monday to the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association Web site, www.clearlakeoaks.org.
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