KIDS 211, FISH 145
OOLOGAH LAKE SUN, FUN AND FISHING DERBY DAY
SATURDAY, JUNE 20
Over 200 children plus assorted dads, moms, grandparents and friends mobbed the fishing ponds at the Oologah Lake office on Saturday morning, June 20, for the Oologah Lake Sun, Fun and Fishing Derby Day.
The 211 children caught 145 fish plus lots of prizes.
"We ended up having over 200 kids and countless adults and volunteers participate on Saturday. I know my kids really enjoyed the event," said Allen G. Ryan, Oologah Lake Manager.
"The Fishing Derby Day was a great family event," said Tracy Gibson. "We look forward to attending next year."
Gibson's son, Hunter, caught a 20" catfish during the derby.
The big winner was four-year-old Marissa Smith. She caught a 11-1/2 inch bass to win the prize for longest fish in the age 2-5 category. She also won the grand prize Lowrance locator and another door prize.
The derby was the brainchild of Carolyn Estes, Oologah Lake Leader marketing director. Other sponsors were the US Army Corps of Engineers Oologah Lake Office, Rogers County Sheriff's Office, pro bass fishermen Terry Butcher and Edwin Evers of Talala, and Redbud Marina on Oologah Lake.
"We're thrilled with the enthusiastic turnout for the event. It took a lot of volunteers and sponsors to give the kids this very special day," Estes said.
"I would like to thank my boss, Faith Wylie of the Oologah Lake Leader, Lee Perry of US Army Corps of Engineers and his fellow rangers, Captain Mike McElhaney and the Rogers County Sheriff's Office, and our two pro fishermen, Edwin Evers and Terry Butcher, who helped make the day possible."
The organizers were amazed and overwhelmed by the turnout.
"Before the children arrived, we talked about how many we might have," said Wylie. "One ranger said he hoped for 35. I guessed 100. No one imagined that we would have 211 children."
FISHING DERBY WINNERS:
First Fish: Andre Sarracino, age12, 5-1/2" perch
Tagged Fish:
Logan Fertic, age 13, 6-1/2" perch
Justin Morgan, age 11, 13" bass
Adam Ross, age 10, 6" perch
Brook Wiggington, age 10, 8" perch
Austin Seratte, age 13, 8" bass
Age 2-5
Longest Fish: Charlie Baker, age 3, 12-1/2" fish
Smallest Fish: Josie Wood, age 4, 3-1/4" fish
Biggest Fish: Marissa Smith, age 4, 11-1/2" bass
Age 6-10
Smallest Fish: Adam Ross, age 10, 2-1/4" fish
Longest Fish: September Willingham, age 6, 13" bass
Biggest Fish: Dustin Leach, age 6, 14-1/2" bass
Age 11-15
Smallest Fish: Brody Sarracino, age 14, 3" perch
Longest Fish: Hunter Gibson, age 11, 20" catfish
Biggest Fish: Justin Stockle, age 11, 25" carp
Organizers: Oologah Lake Leader
Terry Butcher & Edwin Evers
US Army Corps of Engineers, Oologah Lake
Rogers County Sheriff's Office
Redbud Marina
Sponsors:
Sweet Claim Service
Mike Flowers Tires
Mid Ameria Feeds
Talala Grocery
Lady Luck Fireworks (3 miles east of Claremore on OK 20)
Rogers Mini Stop
Tacora Mart
Oologah Sonic
Nu Tau Sorority
Green Country Port-A-John
Talala Library
Lakeside State Bank
Bank of the Lakes
Midwest Trophy
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Northwest Rogers County Fire Protection District
Lowrance Claremore Daily Progress
OTEMS ambulance service
Nabatak
Daylight Donuts Oologah
Berkley
Booyah-Yum
Bass Pro
Mike Lewis
"The Fishing Derby Day was a great family event," said Tracy Gibson. "We look forward to attending next year."
"We're thrilled with the enthusiastic turnout for the event. It took a lot of volunteers and sponsors to give the kids this very special day," Estes said.
Justin Morgan, age 11, 13" bass