Mirror Lake Fishing Derby

Boy anglers had all the luck Sept. 14 at the annual Kids Fishing Derby on Mirror Lake.

The event that attracted nearly 80 young anglers was hosted by the U.S. Forestry Service and funded mostly by Riders United 4 Children, a motorcycle club based in Sprindale with a chapter in Mountain View, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and more than 75 area businesses who gave a grand total of $7,000 to the event.

Riders United 4 Children gave the most at $3,000.

U.S. Forestry Biologist Idun Guenther organized the event and emceed the awards ceremony.

A first place trophy, a prize bag and a bicycle went to Holden Smith in the 4- to 6-year age group for her big fish that weigh 19.5 ounces and measured 14 inches.

Cohen Williams won the same array of prizes for his first place in the 7-9 years age group for a 17-ounce, 13.5 inch fish.
Hawk Bratton won first place prizes in the 10-13 age bracket for a fish weighing 21.5 ounces measuring 13-5 inches.

Second and third places and the same prizes, minus the trophy, went to following:

• Cole Turner and Lola Criswell won second in the 4-6 year age group for fish weighing 11.5 ounces measuring 12 inches. Criswell’s fish weighed the same and was a half inch shorter.

• Mason Turner and Shiloh Spray took second and third in the 7-9 age group for fish weighing 15 ounces and 13 inches in length and 11.5 ounces and 11.75 inches in length.

• Triston Greehaw and Mason Chenard won second and third places in the 10-13 age brackets for a 16-ounce 12-inch fish and a 13 ounce 12.25 inch fish.
All of the prize fish caught Saturday were trout.

A total of 31 fish were caught.
All the anglers received a prize bag.
Guenther said the $7,000 raised is an event record.

Last year girls won the top angler spots.