- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
Local fishermen win annual Catfish Derby; organizers report record turnout
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – This year's annual Catfish Derby reeled in a bigger field and bigger fish all around, with two local fishermen winning the adult and children's divisions.
The Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association's derby, knowns as the largest catfish tournament west of the Mississippi, began Friday and wrapped up Sunday afternoon.
“We had a total of 823 adult and 146 kids entries, a record turnout,” said Dennis Locke, one of the event's organizers. “Sixty-nine percent of the contestants were from outside Lake County, with visitors from all over California, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.”
John Fleenor of Middletown won the adult division with a fish weighing 24.74 pounds. Locke said Fleenor took home a $4,000 prize for his winning catch.
The rest of the adult division top 10 included Gerald Langley, Madera, 24.66 pounds; Cody Reynolds, Woodland, 24.06 pounds; Steven Johnson, Stockton, 23.42
pounds; Lenny Davidson, Sheridan, 22.68 pounds; Jim Redmond, Yuba City, 21.68 pounds; Rodney Lane, Stockton, 21.32 pounds; Jared Lane, Hood River, Ore., 21.23 pounds; Bennett Thompson, Sacramento, 20.98 pounds; John Knoten Jr., Marysville, 20.80 pounds.
In the children's division, Bradley Hansen of Lower Lake took the top prize with an 18.55-pound fish. He won an Apple iPad mini, Locke said.
The other two finishers in the children's division were Ethan Pike, Clearlake, 17 pounds; Cody Redmond, Yuba City, 16.76 pounds.
A total of $10,000 in cash and merchandise were awarded to derby contestants, according to Locke.
Locke said fishing conditions were generally good, with contestants bringing in fewer but larger fish than are usually seen at the derby.
“Contestants reported fairly windy conditions and lower temperatures on Friday and Saturday, and brief rain Saturday afternoon,” Locke said. “But conditions improved nicely Saturday evening into Sunday morning.”
Approximately 201 fish, weighing approximately 3011.98 pounds, were caught during the three-day tournament. Of those, organizers said 161 fish were released and 40 kept.
Locke said more than 70 volunteers – led once again this year by Derby Chair Gail Jonas – worked more than 700 hours during the four days of the tournament, Locke said.
The catfish derby is the major fundraiser for the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association.
All proceeds are given back to the community in the form of donations, scholarships, grants and funding for the July 4th Maxine Sherman Memorial Annual Fireworks display.
For more information about the organization visit http://www.clearlakeoaks.org .