By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times
The 11th annual Panorama Days kids’ fishing derby took place at the Lake Panorama marina Aug. 4. Registration was free courtesy of the Lake Panorama Fin and Feather club. Four age groups competed, with trophies given in each age group for smallest and largest fish. The top three overall with the biggest fish also received a trophy and cash prize.
Scott Stanley, who organizes the fishing derby, says almost $2,000 worth of trophies, cash prizes, raffle prizes and bait for participants was provided. “I look forward to this event every year,” Stanley says. “We set another record this year with 105 kids in attendance. This is the first time we’ve broken 100. The event continues to grow each year, which is great to see and be a part of.”
Stanley has been involved since the first year of the kids’ fishing derby. “We only had about 20-25 kids the first year, and have averaged about 75-80 kids over the past five or six years,” he says. “Every year, I have parents thanking us and saying the derby is what their kids most look forward to each summer.”
In the 3-5 age group, Addy Hemphill had the smallest fish, and Evangeline Hemberger had the biggest fish. In the 6-8 age group, Macy Peters had the smallest fish, and James Matthews caught the biggest fish. In the 9-11 age category, Blake Stanley caught the smallest fish, and Raelyn Knudsen had the biggest. Eva Pelzer had the smallest fish in the ages 12-13 category, with Will Wieland catching the biggest fish, a nearly 30-inch flathead catfish.
In the overall biggest fish competition, which earned the winner an additional trophy and cash prize, first place and $60 went to Will Wieland for his 29.5-inch flathead catfish. Second place and $40 went to James Matthews for his 17.5-inch catfish. Raelyn Knudson won $20 for third place with a 17-inch catfish.
Stanley says this year’s fishing derby was held on a beautiful morning, and the fish were biting. “I only came across a couple of cards where no fish were caught. I saw a lot of smiles and excitement and heard a bunch of laughs. It never gets old to witness this firsthand,” he says.
Besides Lake Panorama Fin and Feather, sponsors for the kids’ derby included Tristan West, owner of T-Dogg’s Bait & Tackle, who donated a portion of the lively nightcrawlers for the event; Bill and Karen Eby, who provided cookies and water for the kids at registration; and Steve and Rita Brannen, who donated the $60 cash prize for the overall biggest fish.
Besides those sponsors, Stanley thanked the Lake Panorama Association staff for allowing the derby to be held at the marina and providing picnic tables for fish measuring and the display of trophies and raffle prizes. Jax Lauzon and Colin Russel from the Central Iowa Student Anglers, along with their fathers, volunteered their time to help measure fish, as did several Fin and Feather committee members.
Once the fishing ended, a general raffle drawing was held with each participant winning their choice of at least one prize displayed on several tables. Prizes consisted of fishing gear, which included lures, poles, tackle storage and tackle boxes, life jackets, sleeping bags and more.
Fin and Feather’s annual fundraiser is held the second Saturday each May. Proceeds from that event are invested back into fish stockings, habitat improvement and sponsoring the kids’ fishing derby. Fin and Feather is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity, and donations are tax deductible.