More than 315 kids came out and caught a mess of fish Saturday at the 21st annual Kids Fishing Derby at the Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery.

The event was hosted by the Richmond Hill Exchange Club, and children eager to fish arrived before 7 a.m., when Exchange Club members began setting up for the tournament.

“However early we’re here, people are always here before,” Exchange Club President Lynn Bennett said.

The first award of the day was for the first fish caught, and that went to William Brown, who caught a fish about “30 seconds after we said ‘Go,’” Bennett said.

Other winners included: Ethan Shaugnessy, total weight of 5.65 pounds, and heaviest fish caught at 2.15 pounds (ages 6 and under); Deja Samuels, total weight of 17.9 pounds (ages 7 and over); and Jovann Garrison, heaviest fish at 6.65 pounds (ages 7 and over).

Bennett said although this year’s turnout did not beat last year’s, when more than 425 children registered to fish at the hatchery, he was still pleased and glad to see so many families.

“The primary purpose is to give families an opportunity to get together and do things outdoors,” Bennett said. “Fishing is something you can do all of your life, and it’s a family activity, and it’s educational.”

Read more in the June 8 edition of the News.