Early morning, fog rising from the lake, dark shapes huddled next to each other….

This is not the first line of a scary movie but the beginning of our day and the Family Fishing Derby @ Fairmont Park this past Saturday, June 18th. Those dark shapes were families securing their spot for the opportunity to catch one of the 12,000 pounds of catfish dropped into the lake the day before. Deep Creek Fly Fishers arrived at 4:00 am ready to prepare a hearty breakfast of maplewood sausage, eggs and fluffy pancakes to family members signed up for the derby.

Those of us on the early committee had a great time working together fixing the breakfast, serving and cleaning up. The City of Riverside Parks and Recreation department had all the grills lines up and tables waiting for us ready to go. We rolled in and got to working. We used my motor home Hazelena, to provide electricity for the pancake batter mixer, and as a home station for the volunteers. Just a nice little place to get some coffee, and use the facilities.

There are no small roles when it comes to volunteering. Everyone is important! For those of you who worked the Brat sales that allowed us to make the cash to provide for the supplies needed for this event -- we thank you. To all of our club members who pay their dues that allow us to be a club and ultimately give us the credibility to be part of this event -- we thank you! 

And to the following volunteers who were directly responsible for a great day at the Family Fishing Derby --- we thank you!

Ron Bishop, Rich Popko, Rick Proulx, Bill and Roberta Ross, Rob Wilcox, Wally Meyer, Pat Harris, Denise Chilson and her children Chariya and Kenny, Sean Robbins and his son Joshua, Dale Dickerson, Greg Payne, and Bob Kreider.

Cathlene Fishman
President