Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote the feature and supplied the photos.
The Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department and Mounted Patrol sponsored the 49th Sheriff’s Fishing Derby, on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at Carlton Lake in Morrison, IL. Young fishermen were arriving at 8:00 a.m. for the 8:30 opening of the registration, according to Sheriff John Booker.
Shores and docks were crowded with young (ages 6-15.) Excited fishermen anxiously awaited assistance from their accompanying adult to bait their hook.
As fish were caught, they were measured and recorded to determine the day’s winner of the longest fish by species and child’s age group. That combination earned the child a new bicycle.
Various other prizes were earned as the morning progressed. The Department made sure that every attending fisherman went home with a prize. Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Sterling, creatively painted faces of those interested, to add to the festive atmosphere of the morning.
New to the festivities in 2022 was a trophy presented to a “good sportsman,” in honor of Pat Carney. The Butch Kimmel award continued as an award earned each derby, along with the large selection of toys and fishing gear that would excite any aged youngster.
The photos from top-to-bottom display the pleasures of this annual event:
1: new bike awarded to each age group winner of largest fish caught
2: fish gear awaiting to be awarded
3: waiting to measure her catch
4: face painting by Lutheran Social Services
5: shores and docks crowded with anxious fishermen.
