Anglers from around nation fish in 35th annual Catfish Derby
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Hundreds of people came from around the nation to fish Clear Lake’s waters as part of the 35th annual Clearlake Oaks Catfish Derby.
Organizers said this year’s Catfish Derby, the biggest derby west of the Mississippi and arguably the best-attended event of its kind in North America, brought in more than 900 adult and child anglers.
Participants came from as far away as Delaware, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and all parts of California.
The majority, 60 percent, came from outside of Lake County. All but one of the winners, Dustin Davidson of Gold Beach, Oregon, was from California.
In the adult category, the top prize – a cash award of $4,000 – went to Lee Her of Sacramento for his 24.34-pound catch. This wasn’t, however, the biggest catch of the derby.
The biggest catch brought in was a 27.36-pounder caught by 9-year-old Scarlett Ocheltree of Yuba City. Scarlett competed in the children’s category, 10 years and under, and took home $100, the top award in her division.
The winning catch in the 11 to 15 year old category went to Kelseyville’s Jackson Cline, a first-time derby participant, who also received $100 for his 20.27-pound catch.
Scarlett’s family has been coming to Clear Lake to compete in the derby since 1993 – long before she was born. Her cousin, Ivy Bain, placed first in her category last year.
“Compared to last year, this year’s derby numbers were slightly down,” said Dennis Locke, chairman of the committee that organized the event. “The seven-year average is 907, and we hit 923 this year. Actually, we were a little more comfortable with our available space. It gets pretty tight when we hit the 1,000 mark.”
As in prior years, more than $10,000 in prize money and raffle gifts was awarded, $7,500 total cash awards for anglers and $2,500 in raffle prizes.
The parents of Scarlett Ocheltree and Ivy Bain, the 2018 and 2017 first place winners, respectively, said, “It’s not about the money. It’s about family getting together to continue the traditions of our parents and to give our kids a wholesome experience.”
“It’s especially rewarding to see our local families return year after year,” said Locke, “like Kristal Harris of Clearlake who placed fourth in the adult category this year. Also Mathew Ross Sr. who placed in the adult category and Mathew Jr., who placed third this year in the up to 10 category for his derby win – at only 4 years of age.”
Locke said the Derby is a broad-based community effort, three days of gathering with friends from around the lake as well as return families from near and far.
“It’s a wholesome family activity. We especially love seeing the younger generation get hooked on fishing,” he said.
For more information including all placements and photographs, visit www.clearlakeoaks.org/derby or contact Dennis Locke at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..