BEATRICE - The Lower Big Blue NRD this past Saturday sponsored their annual Fishing Derby, with the assistance of the Beatrice Optimist Club, and Swan 5 Advisory Council.

It was the 19TH Annual Free Family Fishing Day and Youth Fishing & Casting Derby at the Willard L. Meyer Recreation Area near Tobias. 

The day included Fishing Derby, Casting Contest, Hands-On Archery Demonstration by Big Indian Archery Club Members, Nebraska Game & Parks Fishery Display, corn hole tournament and a free hot-dog lunch.

Over 140 kids ages 1-18 participated in the Youth Fishing Derby. Awards were presented for the Most Fish Caught, Biggest Fish Caught, Smallest Fish Caught, and for the Casting Contest.

The top award winners in each age group were:  Ages 5 and under: Most Fish- Charlie Schoenbeck, Western; Biggest Fish- Penelope Henk, Western; Smallest Fish- Whitley Regnier; Ages 6-9:  Most Fish-Charlotte Jaeger, Geneva;  Biggest Fish-Vera Schwisow, Wilber;  Smallest Fish-Laura Martin, Hanover, KS;  Casting Contest- Grady Arp, Friend;  Ages 10-12:  Most Fish-Cohen Harre;  Biggest Fish-Troy Daywes, Dorchester;  Smallest Fish- Gater. Champ, Tobias;  Casting Contest- Cohen Harre, Exeter;  Ages 13-18:  Most Fish-JD Adam, Hebron;  Biggest Fish- Mason Snyder, Crete;; Smallest Fish- Jaala Stewart, Daykin;  Casting Contest-RJ Paul, Western.