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125 children compete in annual fishing derby

  • Published
  • By Tim Flack
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Base youth packed Larimore Dam for a sunny day of competitive fishing during the base's 24th Annual Kid's Fishing Derby.

John Gorman, Outdoor Recreation manager for the 319th Force Support Squadron, said 125 children registered for the tournament. The base hosts the derby on the same day that North Dakota offers a day of license-free fishing.

"This is our largest event of the year," Gorman said. "A lot of these kids look forward to it from one year to the next."

Gorman said the idea is to provide families an opportunity to get together for an enjoyable day in an outdoor environment.

The children competed in various age groups starting as young as 3 years old, with the goal of catching the biggest fish. Each child could bring one fish per hour to a weigh station.

While the children earned trophies - and bragging rights - for hauling in the biggest catch, Gorman stressed the day was more about the experience.

"To a kid, it doesn't matter ... all they want to do is catch fish," Gorman said.

Master Sgt. Chris Regier, with the 319th Civil Engineer Squadron, is a self-proclaimed "avid fisherman" who brought his daughter, Ashley, and her friend, Amber Holmes, to the tournament.

"I like supporting the outdoors and getting them involved," Regier said.