By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
The fish weren’t biting much on Saturday’s muggy morning, but a lucky few were able to snag some stubborn bluegills.
The Crawford Park District hosted its annual Youth Fishing Derby at the Lowe-Volk Park pond where 32 participants ringed the banks and cast their lines. For roughly one hour, youth fished in the pond and those lucky enough to catch a fish brought it before Park District volunteers to be measured before releasing it back into the pond.
Flanked by her father and grandmother, 5-year-old Luci Wozniak of Crestline peered over the table as her second catch of the day – a 9-inch bluegill – was measured and released into the pond.
“It’s a good experience,” said Luci’s father, Chris. “It’s exciting to see her happy and we’re not sitting here doing nothing.”
Brothers Joseph and Jacob Williams were extremely adept with their fishing poles and lures, catching three fish between them in less than 20 minutes. Jacob biggest fish measured in at 10.25 inches.
Aleece Filliater was not having much luck fishing from the dock, so she moved a few yards down the bank where she caught a 5.5-inch bluegill.
The Youth Fishing Derby was broken up into three age brackets with each child competing to catch the most and the largest fish.
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