Proceeds from fishing derby to benefit Carson City kids

More than 500 young fishermen and archers are expected to benefit from the annual mackinaw trout fishing derby April 21 at Lake Tahoe, organizers say.

Early that morning, about 20 two-member boat crews will launch either from Cave Rock or Sand Harbor to try their luck at reeling in the biggest catch of the day, said organizer Bob Townsend.

Weigh-in will end with a barbecue at 4 p.m. at the Timbers Saloon, 124 E. 8th St. in Carson City.

The Tom Brooks Gone Fishin' Memorial Fishing Derby not only awards prizes to the top anglers, but some of the proceeds benefit Carson City youth.

"Money from this derby has helped the Clear Creek Bowmen purchase youth-sized bows for the city's Latchkey program so that they can promote and teach archery - for the last three years," Townsend said.

The Latchkey program is an after-school and summer activities program for youngsters offered by the city's Recreation Division. The Clear Creek Bowmen is a Carson City archery group.

"It also provided fish to be stocked for the CK Baily pond in 2011 on Kids Fishing Day (at the city's urban fishing pond off Old Clear Creek Road), and will do so again in 2012," he said.

Carson City Park Planner Vern Krahn called the event an important one.

"This event benefits children in the community," Krahn said. "More than 300 Latchkey kids went through the archery program, and more than 200 kids participated in the fishing day last year," he said.

The derby was established by friends of Tom Brooks, an avid Carson City fisherman who cared about the community and about children who don't have a chance to experience outdoor activities, Townsend said.

"Besides sports, fishing became his favorite thing to talk about, plan trips around, and, when the big one was caught, brag about," he said.

"He soon bought his own boat and began sharing days on the lake with his friends while teaching others he me the tricks of mack fishing on Lake Tahoe. Once in awhile, he would even share with those he trusted the secret lure or best of all, the secret spot for catching the big one," he said.

The annual fishing derby is always a popular event, Townsend said.

"This derby can clear $4,000 profit, and we have at least 54 sponsors this year," he said.

The derby will be held - weather permitting.

"If it's too windy on Tahoe, we'll move this to the following weekend," he said.

"It's fun, but it's really all about the kids. It makes us feel really good. Any time you can help out 500 kids, that's a pretty good hit."