OQUOSSOC – The Rangeley Region Guides’ & Sportsmen’s Association held its first Kids’ Fishing Derby on July 7, 2022. Beautiful weather welcomed eighty-two children with their parents, grandparents, and counselors to the RRG&SA Kids’ Fishing Pond located adjacent to the clubhouse on Old Skiway Road in Oquossoc.
The children were divided into three age categories. Each group had 30 minutes to catch up to three fish. The fish were then measured and cleaned for the children to take home. After the competition, all children were given commemorative RRG&SA medals. Trophies were given for the longest fish caught in each age category. The trophy winners were:
Ages 4-6
First place, Liam Watkin
Second place, Brooklyn White
Third place, Daxton Melcher
Ages 7-10
First place, Broden LeClerc
Second place, Jonah Williams
Third place, Cayden Curtiss
Ages 11-15
First place, Gabe Williams
Second place, Taylor Crocker
Third place, Riley Cormier
In addition, 15 children won gift certificates to River’s Edge Sport Shop, and a lucky 7-year-old won a lifetime Maine fishing license.
Because of the great success of this event, RRG&SA will plan to make this an annual event. It was heartwarming to see so many children enjoying the great outdoor sport that made Rangeley famous.
“RRG&SA is very grateful to the business sponsors of the Mooselookmeguntic Salmon Derby held earlier this summer. The proceeds from that event made the Kid’s Fishing Derby possible,” said Scott Hatfield.
Event organizers extended their sincere thanks to their major business sponsors: Hight Family of Dealerships, Oquossoc Marine, Mike Cerminara Landscaping, Blue Flame Gas, Saddleback Mountain, River’s Edge Sports, Rangeley Lakes Builders Supply, Morton & Furbish Real Estate, Franklin Savings Bank, Koobs Garage, Lake Region Power Systems, Rangeley IGA, and Oquossoc Grocery. In addition, they recognized other business contributors: Town & Lake Motel, Beauty Boutique, Noyes Real Estate, Allied Real Estate, Rangeley Family Dentistry, Rangeley Lake Heritage Trust, and Boss Power Sports/Looney Bin.