A special outdoor event for the youngsters of this area

Here is a reminder of an annual, special outdoor event that is quietly sneaking up around the corner. And, in my less-than-humble opinion, it is one of the many heart-warming reasons why this general area is such a special place to live.

What is it?

Through the years, this outdoor event is something that has been enjoyed by many tens of thousands of people (including me as a volunteer!) in this general area.

This year will be the 17th annual version of the Kids' Fishing Derby.

Where is it?

The derby is always held at Lampe Creek at Lampe Park in Gardnerville in Douglas County.

When is it?

It's held on the first weekend in June. So, mark your calendar for June 3-4 for a memorable experience.

KID'S FISHING DERBY:

If you've never been there, Lampe Park is reached by taking U.S. 395 south from Carson City to Gardnerville to the traffic light at the intersection of U.S. 395 and Waterloo Lane. At that traffic light, turn to the right, travel several hundred yards and you'll be at Lampe Park. It's that easy.

Lampe Park is the site of each year's Kids' Fishing Derby, which provides thousands of youngsters of this area with a golden opportunity to be introduced to an outdoor sport they will be able to enjoy for the rest of their lives.

Each year, about 2,400 youngsters (ages 3-12) sign up to fish in six different time periods.

On both Saturday and Sunday, there will be three fishing sessions: 8-9:30 a.m., 10 -11:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Each of those sessions will have about 400 youngsters, each trying to catch his/her limit of two trout.

In addition, Saturday afternoon will have a special session at 2:30 p.m., restricted to only those youngsters with special needs.

As a special note, if you're the parent of a little pre-schooler, be advised that there is a special fishing area where one of the parents will be allowed to assist their youngster while he/she is fishing.

You can assist by baiting their hook, casting the line out, untangling a snarl, unsnagging a snag, etc. However, you can not bring in the fish for your youngster. So, don't be tempted. It's a kids' fishing derby, it's not an adult fishing derby.

Fish:

There will be about 6,000 trout provided by the Nevada Division of Wildlife's Mason Valley Hatchery and by a private hatchery located at Susanville, Calif.

Plus, there will be another 200 cutthroat trout donated by the Lahontan National Fish Hatchery.

Those cutthroat will be brooder stock (all males) weighing 4-8 pounds! Heck, I'd like to catch a 4-8 pound rainbow and I'm a lot older than 12 years old!

And, as usual, there will be 300 tagged trout, marked with a special tag on the Dorsal Fin. When a youngster catches one of those tagged rainbows, they will be able to pick and choose from a number of nice items at the prize table.

Sign ups:

So, if you have youngsters or if you are related to youngsters or if you know youngsters (who are in that age group of 3-12), be sure they sign up as soon as possible to participate in a truly memorable event. Do it today!

Registration forms are available at the Douglas County Parks and Recreation Department at 1327 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville during regular business hours.

Miscellaneous:

The Kids' Fishing Derby is proudly billed as one of the largest, free, children's fishing derbies in the entire Western United States.

If you've never attended any of the derbies, be sure to attend this one. It will be definitely worth the time and effort and provide you with a wealth of memories.

The Kids' Fishing Derby is jointly sponsored by The Kids' Fishing Derby, Inc., the Douglas County Parks and Recreation Department, the Nevada Division of Wildlife and the Lahontan National Fish Hatchery, plus the major sponsorship of Raley's of Gardnerville.

SPECIAL NOTE:

Volunteers are still needed to help with checking in the anglers, providing poles and reels, baiting hooks, helping to cast, netting fish, untangling snarls and snags, cleaning fish, manning the prize table, cooking hamburgers, etc.

FOR INFORMATION:

Call the Douglas County Parks and Recreation Dept. at 782-9828 or Chair Person Pam Rodrigues at home at 265-1795.

-- Bet Your Favorite Pigeon

Bet your favorite pigeon he can't tell you what happens to the rainbow trout that are not caught during the Kids' Fishing Derby.

If he grins and says, "The remaining fish can only be caught by youngsters up to the age of 16 or by individuals with a "disabled person" fishing license," he could be a state game warden.

-- Don Quilici is the Outdoors editor for the Nevada Appeal.