CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – This weekend's Catfish Derby reeled in record attendance and showcased the big fish in Clear Lake's waters.
The Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association's derby, which has been taking place for more than 30 years, is billed as the largest catfish tournament west of the Mississippi.
“We had another record turnout this year, with 741 adults and 117 kids entered,” said Dennis Locke, one of the dedicated volunteers who run the derby each year.
Locke said most entrants – 65 percent – were from outside Lake County, with visitors coming from all around California, Nevada, Oregon and Idaho, and as far away as Kentucky to take part in the three-day event, which began Friday.
This year the derby awarded $10,000 in cash and merchandise to winners in the adult and children's divisions, Locke reported.
Raymond Johnson of Santa Rosa won the adult division with a fish weighing 24.87 pounds that he caught on Friday. The big fish earned Johnson a $4,000 cash prize.
Rounding out the top five in the adult division were Allan Rogers of Nice, 23.25 pounds; Daniel Renninger, Hidden Valley Lake, 23.21 pounds; Charles Owen, Roseville, 22.52; and Joe Wynn of Clearlake Oaks, 21.43 pounds.
Five-year-old Kieran Brosnan of Crockett won the children's division with a fish weighing 16.34 pounds that he caught on Saturday. Kieran took home an Apple iPad for his efforts.
The other two top finishers among the children were from Lake County. Darlene Duncan of Lucerne caught a 16.07-pound fish on Saturday, with Bradley Hansen of Lower Lake catching his 15.74-pound fish on Friday.
This year's derby saw good fishing overall, said Locke, with 241 fish weighed.
Clear Lake's level is well below normal for this time of year, measuring around 2.11 feet Rumsey on Friday, the tournament's first day, compared to the 5.68 feet Rumsey measurement on the first day of the 2013 tournament, according to US Geological Survey records.
However, the lower-than-normal lake level didn't seem to impact the fishing, Locke said, with contestants able to launch their boats from all public ramps and reach their favorite fishing spots with no difficulty.
“Fish tended to be larger this year,” he said, adding that adults needed a fish of at least 19 pounds to finish in the money.
“Weather was mostly fair and warm, but heavy winds that came up Saturday evening into Sunday slowed the catch considerably,” Locke added.
Derby Chairwoman Gail Jonas once again led a large volunteer force of more than 50 people who worked four straight days to produce this year's tournament, according to Locke.
Locke said tournament proceeds will go back into the community, with the business association continuing its tradition of supporting local schools, parks, senior and youth services, nonprofit organizations, a graduating senior scholarship program and the Maxine Sherman Memorial July 4 fireworks display through its donations.
Locke said more derby information and pictures will be available on the association's Web site, http://www.clearlakeoaks.org , on Monday.
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