Fishing Derby Scheduled For March 20

Mountain Mail Reports

The annual Community Fishing Derby is coming up Saturday, March 20 at Escondida Lake.
Young anglers age three and over will fish for bragging rights and prizes from 8 a.m. to noon.
Prizes will be awarded to registered youth anglers that attended the derby. The Socorro Valley Bass Club will award nine prizes for most weight/limit and one big fish prize (trout) for each of the three categories/divisions. The age categories are 3 through 7, 8 through 11, and 12 and over. Anglers over 12 need a fishing license. In case of a tie, the tie will be broken with a “flip of a coin.” There are no appeals.
Each youth is required to be registered to participate in the derby and be eligible for the prizes. The Chamber of Commerce will be in charge of logistics and registration.
Anglers can pre-register at the Chamber of Commerce Office, or call the office at 835-0424 anytime before the derby. Kids can also register the morning of the event at the tent between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. The Derby ends at noon and fish will be weighed at the tent. All registered youth will get a free jar of power bait or salmon eggs on Saturday morning.
The primary sponsor of the Derby is the Socorro Chamber of Commerce.
“This is a great event for our community since it involves all generations of families and friends getting together to enjoy each other‘s company and the outdoors,” Chamber Director Terry Tadano said. “And if the children catch a few fish that is a delicious bonus!”
He said there are three primary goals for the fishing day:
To teach youth about sportsmanship, ethics and fishing techniques.
To provide a positive, fun and safe activity for our youth that they will continue to enjoy for years.
To provide a recreational activity for youth to spend with their families or other responsible adults.
From 11 a.m. to noon, Socorro’s Disabled American Veterans will provide a free lunch of hot dogs and soda for the youth.
Coffee will be available and the DAV will have a donation jar and will charge adults for the lunch. The funds generated will be ear marked for next year’s event.

Fishing Derby Scheduled For March 20