YOUTH TROUT DERBY
Youth Trout Derby
In preparation for the Trout Derby, we stocked the pond with 700 pounds of Trout and had 60 large fish tagged.
The day started off rainy and overcast and this resulted in a lower than expected attendance. However, the fishing started off with great weather, and the rain held off until after the event closed at noon.
We had 75 kids in attendance, and with the help of their parents and the pond helpers, everyone had a great time! MANY trout were caught, including 10-15 tagged trout. The lucky anglers that caught the tagged fish were given prizes for their efforts.
Thank you to all of the participants, volunteers, and sponsors that made this a fantastic event!
See you all next year!
2026 Sponsors:
Susquehanna Fishing Tackle
Herr’s Chips
Grace Community Church Quarryville
TIME: 8:00am to noon (Registration at 7:30am)
WHERE: SLCFSA Pond
WHO: Children ages 5-12
Registration for this free event is required and will be limited to the first 125 kids
The history of the event
THE JOHN STRAWSER MEMORIAL KIDS’ FISHING DERBY
Named after the man who began this event in 1971, the John Strawser Kids’ Fishing Derby was designed to give local children an event all their own and get them excited about fishing. Herald of summertime held around Memorial Day, the event was always open to the public.
For many years, the spring-fed pond was stocked with trout, and kids could take their catch (2-3 trout) home for dinner. But difficulty keeping pond temperature low and the prevalence of predators continually reduced the trout stock, so the Derby switched over to bluegill and largemouth bass. Bass are hardier, larger, and put up more of a fight, so the “contest” switched to a 3-hour catch-and-release. Kids certainly put their muscles and will-power to the test – and learned a few fishing tricks along the way!