DEC Officer Russ Ritzel with Fishing Derby winners
One of the many activities that were scheduled in Old Forge over the inaugural Red, White & Blue, Spring into Summer event held over Memorial Day Weekend was a Fishing Derby at the navigation docks on Old Forge Pond on Sunday, May 24.
The derby was conducted by NYS DEC Officer Russ Ritzel and his son, Rusty with assistance by Mike and Chase Greene.
Officer Ritzel provided fishing equipment and knowledge to anglers ages four and up whose hometowns ranged from far away as Africa to right here in Old Forge.
All fish were caught and released from the navigation docks. Note that the bass catches were quickly released back to the water with Officer Ritzel’s help as it is not currently bass season.
The winners and their categories were:
Largest Fish Overall (ages 12 & up) – Erica Zona, 19” Large Mouth Bass
Largest Fish Overall (under age 12) – Kaitlin Spinner, 17.5” Large Mouth Bass
Largest Pan Fish (12 & up) – Slater Constantine, 11.5”
Largest Pan Fish (under 12) – Jared Eisenberg, 11.75”
Largest Bullhead – Erin Coppersmith, 11.5”
Most Fish Caught Overall – Jared Eisenberg – 3
Largest Brook Trout – Billy Winn, 7.5”
Largest Fish on the hook but not brought in – Chase Greene (Could be a fish story)
