Over 70 kids hauled out their fishing rods on Saturday for the annual fishing derby at Mill Dam Park hosted by the Municipality of Shawville. 

Rain was in the forecast, but fortunately it held off until after all measurements had been taken to determine the day’s winners. 

This year’s winner was Jack Quackenbush, whose three fish totalled 80 centimetres, while the second-place prize went to Oliver Hobbs, whose three fish came in at 75 centimetres. 

Kaysen Emmerson and McKenna Elliott walked away with door prizes in the form of fishing rods. 

Councillor Katie Sharpe said that while the number of kids participating in the fishing derby was slightly down this year at 73 kids, the total number of fish caught was higher. 

“We made sure everybody got a fish this year. We had a barrel, so if you didn’t catch one in the creek, you got one in the barrel,” said councillor Lisa Taylor.

“I think the turnout was really good, and we appreciate everybody coming out.”