Anglers
hooked by Trout Derby
Fishermen
outnumbered the fish three-to-one at the 13th annual Cachuma Lake Trout Derby
April 19-20 as more than 900 participants from all over Southern California
tried to catch 300 tagged trout. It might have had something to do with the
$2,000 top prize for the highest numbered tag reeled in.
The boat
ramps, campgrounds, and nature center at the county facility were busy with
activities including educational events for kids, face painting and other
activities, according to Nature Center board member Carol Smagala.
The host
for the event was the non profit Cachuma Lake Nature Center, which provides
services to area schools, senior groups, organized tours, and regular day use
visitors to the lake.
Established
in 1988, its mission is to “encourage public understanding, enjoyment, and
protection of Cachuma Lake.”
The
facility is not supported by the county, and the single yearly Trout Derby is
the only fundraiser for the group, said Kirby Duncan, vice president of the
board of directors.
“I just
can’t tell you how well the volunteers from the Nature Center and the county
worked together to make this a great event”, said Duncan as he walked by
plastic tubs of ice upon which the “winners” were displayed.
Clear
skies and a cool breeze made for good fishing, and the $2,000 top prize went to
Todd Bright of Arroyo. The
second-highest numbered tag won Chris Tatzel of Santa Barbara $550.
The
largest fish caught during the weekend event was a monster 25.875-inch,
nine-pound trout by Nick Langer of Valencia, who won $1,000 for his
effort.
The story
behind the monster trout was as big as the trout.
According
to Langer, one of the foursome fishing on their boat needed a “nature”
break. Beaching the boat just
around the corner of Cachuma marina, the party stopped for a quick break while
Langer walked along the shore to fish.
In a few
moments he came up with the monster trout.
It was
early in the derby…and he never looked back!
Duncan,
the board vice president, noted that there had been some concern that the derby
might be negatively affected by new control measures needed to contain the
spread of an invasive mollusk, the Quagga Mussel.
It became
clear early-on, however, that the concern was unwarranted, as the event drew
more participants in 2008 than in prior years.